The Golden State Warriors will play their next several games without Stephen Curry. Although many hoped the All-Star break would give him enough time to heal, the team confirmed that his right knee is still not ready for competition. This injury has already kept him out of several games, including the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. The team’s medical staff plans to check his progress again in 10 days, meaning he will miss at least five more matchups.
"He will be re-evaluated in 10 days… Luckily, there is no structural damage." — Official Statement via NBA Insider Brett Siegel
A History of Recent Physical Setbacks
The current knee problem is part of a longer list of health issues for Curry this season. He has missed a total of 15 games so far. This specific knee issue started during a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 29. While he tried to play through the pain for a short time, the discomfort became too great to continue.
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The Warriors are also dealing with other major roster changes. Jimmy Butler, another key player, is out for a long time after surgery on a torn ligament in his right knee. Without these two players, the team has struggled, winning only 5 out of 14 games during one recent stretch of absences.
Evidence From Medical Exams
Medical experts used an MRI (a detailed body scan) to look at Curry’s knee. The results show that the bones and ligaments are healthy. However, the physical symptoms tell a different story.
| Evidence Type | Finding | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| MRI Scan | Clean / No structural damage | Rules out surgery or torn ligaments. |
| Physical Symptoms | Persistent pain and swelling | Prevents full-speed movement and jumping. |
| Activity Response | Pain "flares up" after workouts | Suggests the knee cannot handle heavy stress yet. |
| Diagnosis | Patellofemoral pain syndrome | Also known as "runner's knee," caused by overuse. |
The core problem is not a break or a tear, but lasting swelling that returns every time Curry tries to practice hard.
Medical Findings vs. Physical Reality
If the MRI is "clean," why is the player still unable to run? This is the main question investigators look at. Doctors have labeled the condition as patellofemoral pain syndrome. This happens when the area around the kneecap becomes irritated from too much use. Even though the knee looks "normal" on a scan, the pain is real enough to stop a professional athlete from playing. Is the recovery taking longer because Curry is turning 38 years old next month, or is the injury more stubborn than first thought?
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Team Performance Without Key Leaders
The Warriors face a difficult path without their starting backcourt.
Stephen Curry is the primary scorer and leader.
Jimmy Butler is out with a torn ACL.
The team has a losing record (5-9) when Curry does not play. With both stars missing, the team must rely on younger players or new additions like Kristaps Porziņģis, who is also returning from a long break and will have his minutes limited by coach Steve Kerr.
Patterns of Availability
This season, Curry has dealt with many small injuries rather than one big accident.
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Illness (3 games)
Left leg bruise (5 games)
Sore ankles (2 games)
Right knee issues (5+ games)
This pattern raises questions about whether these are separate events or if the body is simply struggling to stay healthy under the pressure of a full NBA season.
Analysis from the Bench
Coach Steve Kerr has been open about the team's cautious approach. He decided to hold Curry out of the All-Star Game and the game against the San Antonio Spurs to give him a full week of rest. However, that rest was not enough. The team is now choosing to wait another 10 days rather than risk making the swelling worse.
League sources tell ESPN that the pain only returns after individual workouts. This suggests that while Curry feels fine while resting, he is not yet ready for the "stop-and-start" motions required in a basketball game.
Conclusion
The investigation into Stephen Curry’s health shows a player whose body is not recovering as fast as the team hoped.
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Findings: The knee has no permanent damage, but it reacts poorly to exercise.
Implications: The Warriors must find a way to win games with a depleted roster. Their playoff position may be at risk if their lead scorer stays on the sideline.
Next Steps: Curry will remain inactive for at least 10 more days. A new medical update is expected at the end of February.
Sources and Context
ClutchPoints: Reported on the 10-day re-evaluation and the five-game absence. Link
ESPN: Confirmed the MRI was clean but noted the pain persists after workouts. Link
NBA.com: Detailed the total number of games missed this season and the specific diagnosis of "runner's knee." Link
Associated Press (AP): Provided the timeline of the injury starting from the Detroit Pistons game on Jan 29. Link
