Is Stephen Curry Playing vs. Lakers? Warriors Update

The Golden State Warriors will again be without their franchise cornerstone on Saturday night.

Stephen Curry is set to miss his 10th consecutive game when Golden State hosts the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center, extending an absence that has increasingly tested the Warriors’ margin for error as the postseason picture tightens.

“No update on Steph yet. Warriors said there will be another one coming on Sunday after the initial 10-day rest period ends,” Nick Friedell of The Athletic reported Friday.

That update, expected Sunday, will arrive 10 days after Golden State announced Curry would be re-evaluated following a setback in his recovery from patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly referred to as runner’s knee.

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A Setback That Altered Warriors’ Timeline

Curry had been trending toward a return earlier this month and was even on track to play against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 19. But after testing the knee during warmups, he was ruled out — a decision that ultimately reset the timeline.

Speaking on 95.7 The Game, Andscape’s Marc Spears revealed that Curry suffered a setback around All-Star Weekend, pushing his comeback further than initially anticipated.

“Around All-Star weekend, [Curry] had a setback,” Spears said. “He was trying to work out, trying to get back and it pushed him back. I’m not sure when he’ll be back, but I do know that he wants to come back.”

The injury originally sidelined Curry on Jan. 26 in a loss to Minnesota. He returned for two games shortly after, but swelling and pain forced him to exit early against Detroit, re-triggering concerns about long-term durability.

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Curry Focused on the Warriors’ Bigger Picture

Despite the frustration, Curry has remained consistent in his messaging: the priority is being available when it matters most.

“Feeling good,” Curry told NBC Sports Bay Area last week. “It’s not going the way that I wanted it to, but I think we’re in the right direction of getting back out there as fast as possible.”

“The goal is to be healthy come playoff time and be available when it matters most.”

That perspective is especially relevant given Golden State’s positioning.

Curry has appeared in 39 games this season, averaging 27.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds, while leading the NBA in three-pointers made, attempts, and free-throw percentage. However, missing at least 20 games disqualifies him from All-NBA and other end-of-season awards under the league’s 65-game requirement.

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How the Warriors Have Managed Without Him

Saturday will already mark the 20th game Curry has missed this season. The Warriors are 8–12 without him, though they’ve shown signs of resilience.

Golden State is 4–5 since Curry’s most recent setback, but has won two of its last three, including a statement upset over the Denver Nuggets, powered by strong performances from Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and a vintage outing from Al Horford.

Spears framed Golden State’s reality bluntly.

“This team’s kind of in a no-man’s land,” he said. “Probably too good to fall out completely, but not good enough right now to feel safe. Steph expects to be in the play-in. He wants that chance.”

Entering Saturday, the Warriors sit 3.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Lakers, making the matchup significant even without Curry available.

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Reinforcements Could Be Coming

There is at least some positive news on the injury front.

Golden State is expected to welcome Draymond Green back from a back issue, and Kristaps Porziņģis has a chance to return after missing time with an illness. Both participated fully in Friday’s practice, according to head coach Steve Kerr.

While Curry’s status remains unresolved, the Warriors are slowly getting healthier — and buying time — as they wait for their leader’s next update.

Sunday’s evaluation may not provide final clarity, but for Golden State, it represents the most important checkpoint yet in a season increasingly defined by patience, positioning, and survival without Stephen Curry.

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