SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will be sidelined for at least five more games as he continues to deal with a persistent right knee injury, the team announced Sunday. Curry’s absence extends through upcoming matchups against the Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Jazz, and Bulls, with a re-evaluation scheduled in 10 days.
Details of Curry’s Knee Condition and Recovery Progress
The Warriors have diagnosed Curry with patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly called “runner’s knee,” which is characterized by swelling and pain around the kneecap. Initially, the team had hoped Curry would return following the All-Star break last month. However, he experienced a setback during a workout that weekend and informed the athletic training staff that he wasn’t ready to resume full court activity. Subsequently, he was restricted from court exercises for 10 days.
During pregame activities on Saturday, Curry was seen performing weight-bearing squats on his right knee in the locker room. While the team reports that he is making gradual progress, Curry has not yet resumed court work.
Curry Shares Thoughts on His Healing and Return Timeline
During a Saturday in-game interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Curry described the injury’s unpredictability.
“It’s kind of unpredictable how it’ll heal,”
he said. He also acknowledged that recovery will take additional time:
“It’s going to be a little longer. Right now, with this one, it’s about each day, can you stack good days? I’ve done that. Hopefully they can unleash me on the court soon and hopefully get back sooner than later.”
Team Performance and Curry’s Role in Playoff Aspirations
The Warriors have gone 4-6 without Curry in the last 10 games and currently hold a 31-29 record, sitting in the NBA’s eighth seed spot and likely heading to the play-in tournament. Curry has expressed a strong desire to return and help lead the team into the playoffs, but his knee must improve enough to allow him to play without risking further injury.
He revealed,
“Trying to stay in shape, strengthen everything else around the body, knowing at this stage, once you get back, it’s a full sprint to the playoffs. Once I get back on the court, it’s a little bit of a pain tolerance thing. But it’s just something you don’t want lingering because it can get worse.”
Impact on the Warriors Amid Other Player Absences
Adding to Golden State’s challenges, Jimmy Butler III suffered an ACL tear in January and will miss the remainder of the season. Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis, acquired before the trade deadline, has missed four straight games due to illness and has seen limited playing time since joining the team.
