Stephen Curry, Warriors
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Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors sits on the bench.
Stephen Curry could miss Saturday night’s nationally televised matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.
While the Golden State Warriors continue to list Curry as day-to-day, Slater reported that the two-time MVP “doesn’t sound like someone preparing to return” for the ABC showcase.
Curry, however, offered cautious optimism.
“It’s trending in the right direction,” Curry told Slater. “It’s different than last year, but something that will heal.”
Warriors Managing Curry’s Runner’s Knee
Curry’s current injury is patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as runner’s knee, an overuse condition that is separate from the bilateral knee tendinitis he dealt with early last season.
Orthopedic specialists describe runner’s knee as presenting with a dull ache in the front of the knee, pain during jumping or landing, discomfort when walking downstairs, and stiffness after prolonged sitting. The condition is typically linked to repetitive stress, muscle imbalances, or poor kneecap tracking.
Last season, Curry’s tendinitis prompted Golden State to manage his minutes and rest him intermittently. This time, the Warriors are navigating a different injury — one that requires careful load management and inflammation control to avoid flare-ups.
“It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage,” Curry said. “If I come back too early, it could flare up.”
Curry’s Style of Play Increases Knee Load
Curry’s game complicates the recovery process. Though widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, he is not a stationary catch-and-shoot player. His offensive impact is built on constant relocation, cutting, and off-ball movement — actions that place sustained stress on the knees.
That cumulative load has factored into Golden State’s cautious approach, particularly with inflammation still present.
Injury Occurred vs. Pistons, but Issue Had Been Lingering
Curry aggravated 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. He was later seen icing his knee and continued to limp while exiting the arena.
The discomfort, however, had been building for weeks.
Curry appeared on Golden State’s injury report six days earlier after experiencing swelling and soreness following an individual workout in Minneapolis. At the time, the team listed the issue as patellofemoral inflammation.
He was questionable for a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, played through the injury in a win, then sat out the Jan. 26 rematch before returning Jan. 28 in Utah and again Jan. 30 against Detroit.
Treatment Approach and Long-Term Risks
Treatment for runner’s knee is generally conservative, focusing on rest, load management, targeted strengthening, and supportive measures such as taping or bracing. While often manageable, specialists warn that playing through persistent inflammation can lead to chronic pain, cartilage damage (chondromalacia patella), or long-term joint degeneration.
“It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,” Curry said. “Because it’s still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain.”
Warriors Treading Water Without Curry
Thursday’s 101-97 comeback win in Phoenix improved Golden State to 5–8 without Curry this season. The Warriors sit at 28–24, currently in the Western Conference play-in picture and four games out of the top six.
Golden State is hoping to have Curry back soon — along with trade-deadline acquisition Kristaps Porziņģis — as the stretch run approaches.
For now, the Warriors’ priority remains clear: protect Curry’s long-term health, even if it means sitting out another marquee night.