Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during an NBA game.
The NBA has officially filled Stephen Curry’s All-Star spot, and it’s a move that doubles as a pretty loud signal about where the Warriors star’s knee is at heading into the stretch run.
Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Curry on USA Stripes for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15 (5 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).
NBA Communications
Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Warriors guard Stephen Curry on USA Stripes for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game (2/15, 5 PM ET, NBC & Peacock).
Ingram is an All-Star for the second time. Curry is out with a knee injury.
Curry is out with a knee injury, and Golden State has already indicated it’s thinking bigger than an All-Star cameo: Curry has been dealing with patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee), and the team said it’s hopeful he returns after the break on Feb. 19 vs. the Boston Celtics.
Stephen Curry Injury: Why Being Replaced Matters for the Warriors (Not Just the All-Star Game)
In a vacuum, an All-Star replacement is just a line-item transaction. For Golden State, it’s also a checkpoint: Currynot pushing to suit up in a showcase game underscores that the priority is getting the inflammation and pain under control, and not triggering another flare-up.
ESPN reported Curry’s knee issue flared during an individual workout, andCurry told ESPN it’s still painful and something the team has to manage carefully. That tracks with how the Warriors have been treating the calendar: Kerr confirmed Curry would miss additional games, and multiple reports have pointed to that post-break Feb. 19 target date.
The practical Warriors angle: Curry missing the All-Star game is one more reminder that this isn’t about “toughing it out” for a single night; it’s about availability when the standings start to squeeze.
Stephen Curry bio, height, and 2025-26 season stats
Stephen Curry (full name Wardell Stephen Curry II) is the Warriors’ longtime superstar guard and a central figure in how Golden State’s offense functions. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds,per NBA.com, and is in his 16th NBA season after playing college basketball at Davidson.
On the court this season, Curry has still been producing at an All-NBA level when available. Through 39 games in 2025-26, he’s averaging 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, and he’s currently listed as out due to a right knee issue.
What Ingram Actually Replaces on “USA Stripes”
This isn’t a 1-for-1 positional swap. Curry is the gravitational pull of any All-Star environment, a guard who warps spacing the second he crosses half court. Ingram brings something different: a wing scorer who can create in the midrange, draw help, and play as a secondary initiator.
Ingram is now a two-time All-Star, and he slides onto a USA Stripes roster that (before the change) already had some serious star power: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, and Norman Powell.
So, yes, Curry’s absence removes the most famous shooter in the building. But it also reshapes how USA Stripes can score. With Durant/LeBron/Kawhi already capable of doing the “your turn, my turn” creation, Ingram gives them another shot-maker who can operate when possessions bog down.
The New 2026 All-Star Format Makes the Swap Even Bigger
This year’s All-Star game format is part of why Curry’s replacement is especially notable: it’s a USA vs. World concept with three teams — USA Stripes, USA Stars, and World — and the teams play 12-minute games in a mini-tournament.
Per the AP’s format rundown: USA Stars play the World in Game 1, the winner plays USA Stripes in Game 2, and the Game 1 loser plays USA Stripes in Game 3. The two best records advance, with point differential as a tiebreaker if everyone goes 1-1.
That matters because Curry is exactly the type of player who can swing point differential in a short game with a two-minute barrage. Without him, USA Stripes may look a little more “normal,” leaning into wings and tough-shot creation rather than instant, long-range avalanche mode.
What Happens Next for Golden State
The NBA side is handled: Ingram gets the roster spot. The Warriors side is the bigger story, and the next date to watch is that Feb. 19 Celtics game the team has circled as a hopeful return point.
Curry’s absence has already tested Golden State’s margin for error. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the Warriors have gone 5-9 without him this season, with Curry averaging 27.2 points in his games played.
If the Warriors can simply get to the break and then actually get Curry back on schedule, the story flips fast, from “replacement named” to “how quickly can the Warriors stabilize?”