Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors’ standout guard, is cautious about returning too quickly from his persistent knee injury, fearing it may worsen if rushed. The injury has sidelined him for four games and kept him out of six contests over the past eight weeks. Curry has shared insights into the challenges he faces managing the discomfort in his right knee while aiming for a full recovery.
“It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,”
Curry told ESPN’s Anthony Slater regarding the condition of his knee.
“Because it’s still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain. It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it’s something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up.”
Development and Timeline of Curry’s Knee Problems
The symptoms began during the Warriors’ back-to-back games against the Minnesota Timberwolves last month when Curry noticed soreness and swelling in his right knee. On January 25, despite scoring 26 points in a victory, he revealed he had experienced a flare-up during practice the day prior, leaving his availability for the following game uncertain.
“Something flared up yesterday when we came over to get a workout in,”
Curry explained last month, as reported by NBC Sports Bay Area.
“It was super weird. Like, I’ve had stuff going on — quads and whatnot — but it was something that I hadn’t felt before, so I definitely took advantage of the day off to get right, but hopefully that continues.”
Curry sat out the second game against the Timberwolves but returned for matchups against the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons. However, he appeared limited by his knee, playing fewer than 30 minutes in each game. His condition worsened during the Pistons contest, forcing him to leave mid-third quarter, and he has remained out of action since then.
Stephen Curry’s Positive Spirit and Team Outlook
While sidelined, Curry has remained an enthusiastic supporter of his teammates. During the Warriors’ narrow 114-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, he was seen visibly celebrating as his team overcame a 17-point deficit.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Curry will not participate in the upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs, the last fixture before the All-Star break, and will also miss the All-Star game itself. Kerr emphasized the team’s hope for Curry to return healthy after the break.
“He’s doing well,” Kerr stated, according to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell.
“That’s the hope (after the break). It’s really kind of a day-to-day thing. So it’s hard to predict for sure whether he’ll be playing in that first game after the break, but that’s definitely the hope. The idea is, if he can get through everything this week, then that puts him on pace to be playing then.”
In addition to concerns about Curry’s return, the Warriors aim to have trade deadline acquisition Kristaps Porzingis back from illness for their first game after the All-Star break on February 19 against the Boston Celtics. Currently, Golden State (29-25) trails the Minnesota Timberwolves (33-22) by 3.5 games for the last guaranteed playoff spot.
Implications of Curry’s Injury and Next Steps for Warriors
Stephen Curry’s hesitation to return too soon underscores the risks involved in managing knee injuries that can easily worsen without proper care. His cautious approach reflects the team’s priority on long-term fitness over short-term gains, critical as the Warriors strive to secure a playoff position. The possibility of his return following the All-Star break will be closely watched, as it could significantly impact Golden State’s competitiveness during the season’s crucial stretch. Meanwhile, the team’s health status, including Kristaps Porzingis’s availability, remains pivotal in their quest to catch up to their Western Conference rivals.
Steph explains his knee flare-up yesterday and said he hopes to play again tomorrow pic.twitter.com/AeUf5vXqJj
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 26, 2026
