Stephen Curry, Warriors
Getty
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
The Golden State Warriors arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday riding momentum from their stunning comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns two nights earlier. They erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 101-97 without Stephen Curry, demonstrating the kind of resilience that keeps playoff hopes alive even when star players are sidelined.
That resilience will be tested again against the Los Angeles Lakers in Saturday night’s marquee ABC matchup. The Warriors will once again be without their best player.
Curry will miss his third consecutive game and his 14th of the season with what has been diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as runner’s knee. The injury has kept him out since he left late in the third quarter of Golden State’s loss to the Detroit Pistons last Friday.
Nick Friedell
No Steph tomorrow vs. Lakers. He’s still rehabbing the knee.
Curry Addresses Recovery Timeline
Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors
GettySteph Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships.
Curry spoke with ESPN’s Anthony Slater about his recovery progress. The update suggests the issue won’t be resolved quickly. He indicated the knee is improving. However, he acknowledged that pain and inflammation remain concerns that will require careful management.
“It’s trending in the right direction,” Curry said. “It’s different than last year, but something that will heal.”
The Warriors continue to list Curry as day-to-day. But there’s no indication he’s close to returning. Curry explained that he’s still learning what works in terms of rehabilitation because the knee remains painful. The goal is eliminating inflammation and pain. The concern is that returning too early could cause the issue to flare up again.
The timeline matters for multiple reasons. Curry is now approaching the threshold that could affect his All-NBA eligibility. Players must appear in at least 65 games to be considered for All-NBA teams. The rule was implemented to discourage load management and ensure awards go to players who are consistently available.
If Curry continues missing games and falls short of that threshold, it would be the first time since the injury-shortened 2019-20 season that he wouldn’t be part of an All-NBA team. Over his career, Curry has been excluded from All-NBA honors only four times. That makes this season’s availability concerns particularly significant.
Lakers Also Without Their Star
Luka Doncic, Lakers
GettyLuka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors won’t be the only team missing their best player Saturday night. Luka Dončić will be sidelined for the Lakers with the hamstring injury he sustained during Thursday’s 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dončić left that game in the first half after grabbing at his left leg following a stepback move in the paint. He didn’t return after halftime. Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed afterward that Dončić experienced hamstring soreness that prevented him from playing in the second half.
The absence of both superstars significantly alters the dynamics of what was expected to be a showcase matchup between two storied franchises. Dončić is averaging 32.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists this season in 42 games. He leads the NBA in scoring. His production has been essential for a Lakers team sitting fifth in the Western Conference at 31-19.
Golden State enters the game at 28-24 in eighth place. They’re four games behind Los Angeles in the standings. The gap makes Saturday’s game crucial for the Warriors. They need to bank wins against quality opponents to improve their playoff seeding and avoid another play-in tournament appearance.
Porzingis Still Not Ready for Warriors Debut
Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors
GettyKristaps Porzingis lands in Golden State at the trade deadline to pair with Warriors star Stephen Curry.
There were early indications that Kristaps Porzingis might make his Warriors debut against the Lakers, but that won’t happen Saturday night. Porzingis has been ruled out with Achilles tendon injury management as the Warriors continue taking a cautious approach with their newest acquisition.
Porzingis joined the team in Los Angeles on Friday after the Warriors acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield on trade deadline day. He hasn’t played since January 7, missing 12 consecutive games with the Hawks due to left Achilles tendinitis before being ruled out of what would have been his return game due to illness.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed skepticism earlier in the week that Porzingis would receive medical clearance for Saturday’s game. The organization is prioritizing long-term health over rushing him back for a single game, particularly given Porzingis’ injury history. He’s missed 100 games over the past two and a half seasons, making availability the biggest question mark surrounding the trade.
Golden State also remains without Jimmy Butler, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Seth Curry has missed 29 consecutive games with a sciatic injury. Brandin Podziemski is listed as probable after battling an illness that limited him to just 12 minutes against Phoenix.
What’s Next for Warriors
The Warriors face a challenging stretch without Curry. The timeline for his return remains unclear. Runner’s knee can be a stubborn injury that requires careful management to prevent recurrence. Curry’s comments suggest he understands the risk of coming back too soon. Aggravating the issue could set him back further.
Golden State has two more games after Saturday before the All-Star break. That could provide Curry with an extended period to rest and rehabilitate without missing additional games. The timing might influence the Warriors’ decision-making about when to clear him for return.
Meanwhile, the absence of both Curry and Dončić on Saturday removes much of the star power from what was expected to be a marquee national television game. The matchup becomes more about depth and role players stepping up. The Warriors demonstrated they’re capable of that against Phoenix.
Porzingis’ eventual debut will provide a significant boost once he’s cleared to play. But for now, Golden State must continue navigating life without its top players. They’re trying to maintain playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference. The Warriors proved Thursday night they can win under those circumstances. Saturday’s game against a Lakers team also missing its best player presents another opportunity to do exactly that.