Giannis, Warriors, Giannis trade, Giannis to Warriors, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks congratulates Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after the Warriors beat the Bucks at Chase Center on January 07, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
The Golden State Warriors will again be without their franchise centerpiece Thursday night, as Stephen Curry has been ruled out for the road matchup against the Phoenix Suns while continuing to recover from a right knee injury.
Stephen Curry Ruled Out Again With Runner’s Knee
Curry was officially ruled out on Wednesday’s NBA injury report as he deals with patellofemoral pain syndrome — commonly referred to around the league as “runner’s knee.” The designation marks Curry’s second straight absence and extends a frustrating stretch for a Warriors team already navigating roster uncertainty ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Golden State felt the impact immediately. Without Curry, the Warriors were overmatched in a 113–94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, struggling to generate consistent offense or late-game shot creation.
Injury Timeline: How Warriors Star Hurt His Knee
Curry sustained the injury midway through the third quarter of last week’s 131–124 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
With 4:28 remaining in the quarter, Curry drove to the basket for a stumbling layup while drawing contact. After the whistle, he grimaced, favored his right leg and appeared visibly uncomfortable as he jogged back on defense. Roughly 20 seconds later, he checked out of the game, briefly consulted with the training staff and limped toward the locker room.
Curry was later seen icing his knee and continued to limp while exiting the arena. He did not speak with reporters following the game.
Before leaving, he had already scored 23 points in just 25 minutes — a reminder of both his efficiency and the immediate void his absence creates in Golden State’s offense.
What Runner’s Knee Means for Curry’s Return Timeline
Despite Warriors coach Steve Kerr labeling Curry as day-to-day, five days have passed since the injury with no return to action.
According to orthopedic specialists, patellofemoral pain syndrome typically presents as a dull ache in the front of the knee, pain during jumping or landing, discomfort walking downstairs, and stiffness after prolonged sitting. The condition is commonly linked to overuse, muscle imbalances, or poor kneecap tracking.
Treatment is generally conservative and includes rest, load management, targeted strengthening of the quadriceps and hips, and supportive measures such as bracing or taping. While manageable in many cases, runner’s knee can become chronic if pushed, and in severe scenarios may lead to cartilage damage or long-term joint issues — factors teams are careful to avoid with high-usage veterans.
The Warriors are 4–8 this season without Curry, underscoring how thin the margin becomes when their offensive engine is unavailable.
Warriors Facing Pivotal Stretch Without Curry
As Golden State heads into Phoenix shorthanded, the absence of Curry has placed even more strain on a roster already in flux. With the trade deadline looming and injuries mounting, the Warriors are balancing urgency with caution — particularly when it comes to Curry’s knee.
How long that balance holds, and whether reinforcements arrive, may define not only Thursday night’s game, but the direction of the season itself.