Warriors Get Bad News on Stephen Curry Injury

The Golden State Warriors received unsettling news Wednesday when Stephen Curry did not practice as expected, casting doubt on his availability as the team opens the post-All-Star break portion of its schedule.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry and the team’s training staff opted against a full workout after the star guard reported he was not yet feeling ready, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

“Steve Kerr said Warriors’ training staff and Steph Curry opted against the full workout tonight when he reported not feeling it ready,” Slater wrote on X. “Called the ‘runner’s knee’ issue Curry is dealing with nebulous. ‘We’ve got to be certain. He’s got to be certain.’”

Golden State is scheduled to host the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at Chase Center in its first game since the All-Star break.

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Curry’s Status Looms Large as Absence Nears Awards Threshold

Curry has missed the Warriors’ last five games while dealing with the lingering knee issue. If he is sidelined again on Thursday, the margin for error narrows significantly with respect to his eligibility for end-of-season awards.

The 37-year-old has already missed 16 games this season. Under NBA rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to qualify for annual awards, meaning Curry can miss only one more contest for the remainder of the season.

Kerr said Curry was scheduled to meet with the team’s medical staff Wednesday night for further evaluation, underscoring the cautious approach Golden State continues to take.

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Warriors Star’s Injury Also Cost Curry His All-Star Appearance

The knee issue also forced Curry to miss All-Star Weekend, including the All-Star Game itself. He had been voted a starter for what would have been his 12th All-Star appearance and was the only starter over the age of 31.

While the absence was precautionary, it highlighted how carefully the Warriors are managing Curry’s workload as the season enters its final stretch.

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Knee Issue Has Been Building for Weeks

The injury did not surface suddenly. Curry first appeared on the injury report six days before the aggravation, after experiencing swelling and soreness following an individual workout in Minneapolis.

At the time, the Warriors classified the issue as patellofemoral inflammation—commonly referred to as runner’s knee.

Curry was listed as questionable against the Minnesota Timberwolves, played through the discomfort in a win, then sat out the Jan. 26 rematch. He returned Jan. 28 in Utah and again Jan. 30 against the Detroit Pistons, when the condition worsened.

Midway through that 131–124 loss, Curry grimaced after driving to the basket, favored his right leg, and exited shortly thereafter. He was later seen icing his knee and limping as he left the arena.

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Curry Acknowledges Risk of Rushing Back

After Golden State’s 101–97 comeback win in Phoenix, Curry told Slater that his recovery was progressing but acknowledged the importance of patience.

“It’s different than last year, but something that will heal,” Curry said.

He also made clear that returning too soon could set him back.

“If I come back too early, it could flare up,” Curry said. “It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage.”

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Why Runner’s Knee Is Especially Tricky for Curry

While Curry is widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, his value extends far beyond shooting mechanics. His game is built on relentless movement—relocation, cutting, off-ball screens, and sudden changes of direction.

That nonstop activity places sustained stress on the knees, making inflammation management especially critical.

Orthopedic specialists typically recommend rest, load management, targeted strengthening, and supportive measures such as taping or bracing for runner’s knee. Playing through persistent inflammation, however, can increase the risk of chronic pain or longer-term joint issues.

“It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,” Curry said. “Because it’s still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain.”

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Warriors Weigh Short-Term Urgency vs. Long-Term Stakes

With playoff positioning and award eligibility at stake, the Warriors face a familiar dilemma: balancing urgency with caution when it comes to their franchise cornerstone.

For now, Golden State is erring on the side of certainty—making sure Curry is fully confident in his knee before he returns, even as questions linger heading into Thursday’s marquee matchup.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo