The Golden State Warriors will return from the NBA All-Star break on Thursday night with a matchup against the Boston Celtics. Stephen Curry was ruled out as early as Wednesday night.
As the Warriors prepare to host the Celtics, the team landed a concerning update to share to the NBA world regarding their star sharpshooter. After a second MRI, the Warriors aren't making any long-term rulings, but clarity on his return does not exist at the moment.
"I'm told an MRI in the last 24 hours on Stephen Curry showed no structural issue in his right knee, but he is dealing with persistent swelling and pain in that knee," ESPN's Shams Charania said on Thursday afternoon.
"The team is describing it as runner's knee. Stephen Curry works out individually as he did over the All-Star break, and afterward, he deals with pain and swelling. Both Curry and the Warriors need all of that to subsidize before he can try to start to play again. It's uncertain if that will be days or weeks away."
All season long, Curry has dealt with some minor nagging injuries. The knee concern popped up in late January. He missed a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves before suiting up against the Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons to close out January.
In the matchup against the Pistons, Curry left the court after 25 minutes of playing time. After getting ruled out for the remainder of the game, Curry's status was in question for the final stretch before the All-Star break. He missed the first set of action against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 3. He would be out for five straight games and missed the All-Star matchup.
The Warriors will be back on the court on Thursday, and Curry will miss the action. They will close out their first week back at home with a matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. Curry seems to be on pace to miss that game as well.
Considering all of the setbacks the Warriors have had to deal with this year, Golden State remains in a tough spot. Curry is still playing at a high level at 37, posting averages of 27.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds.
The Warriors hope to improve to 30 wins on Thursday without Curry. They enter the next phase of the year in the Western Conference's eighth seed.
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