PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts on the bench during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 18, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts on the bench during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 18, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors received an unsettling outside assessment of Stephen Curry’s knee injury after a prominent orthopedic specialist reacted to the team’s latest update with visible concern.
Dr. Nirav Pandya, a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, and director of sports medicine at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, offered a terse but telling response after the Warriors confirmed Curry is dealing with patella-femoral pain syndrome and bone bruising in his right knee.
“Bone bruising is a bit more concerning…” Dr. Pandya wrote on X, without elaborating.
The brief comment stood in stark contrast to the optimism that followed Curry’s initial MRI results — and highlighted how the Warriors’ updated diagnosis materially changed the outlook.
Warriors Confirm Bone Bruise, Set Re-Evaluation Timeline
Golden State formally disclosed the full scope of Curry’s injury Thursday, clarifying both the diagnosis and the immediate timetable.
“Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who has missed the last five games due to patella-femoral pain syndrome/bone bruising in his right knee, underwent an MRI Wednesday night,” the team said in a statement. “The MRI confirmed the injury and showed no structural damage. He will be re-evaluated in 10 days.”
While the absence of ligament or cartilage damage ruled out worst-case scenarios, the inclusion of bone bruising marked a notable escalation from earlier descriptions and immediately raised concern among medical observers.
Dr. Pandya’s Tone Shifts After New Detail Emerges
Just hours earlier, Dr. Pandya had struck a reassuring tone after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Curry’s MRI showed no structural abnormalities.
“Good news that the new MRI did not show any structural abnormalities,” Dr. Pandya commented earlier on X. “The key is now getting the pain and swelling under control such that he can perform effectively on the court and not risk secondary injury. Rest and rehab are key with ‘runner’s knee’ as this is irritation of the tissues around the front of the knee.”
That assessment was based on Charania’s report during NBA Today, which focused on inflammation and swelling — but did not mention bone bruising.
“I’m told an MRI in the last 24 hours on Stephen Curry showed no structural issue in his right knee,” Charania said. “But he is dealing with persistent swelling and pain in that knee. The team is describing it as ‘runner’s knee’ as the injury.”
Charania added that Curry’s return timetable remained uncertain and dependent on how quickly the swelling subsided.
Why Bone Bruising Changes the Equation
What was missing from that initial report — and what altered Pandya’s tone — was the presence of a bone bruise, a diagnosis that often complicates recovery timelines.
Earlier this week, Dr. Pandya explained that patella-femoral pain syndrome alone can be unpredictable.
“Unlike an ankle sprain or a broken bone, ‘runner’s knee’ is a bit more unpredictable in terms of when an athlete returns to play,” Dr. Pandya explained. “It’s not a linear recovery since a lot has to deal with how an athlete feels given the irritation around the structures in the front of the knee.”
Bone bruising adds another layer of concern, as it typically requires extended rest and carries a higher risk of aggravation if an athlete returns too soon. That reality aligns with Golden State’s decision to sideline Curry for a minimum of 10 days before reassessment.
Curry Effectively Sidelined for Extended Stretch
The re-evaluation window effectively removes Curry from the Warriors’ next five games, pushing his total missed contests to at least 20 by the time he is eligible to be cleared again.
The timing is particularly damaging for Golden State’s postseason hopes — and for Curry individually. Under NBA rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to qualify for All-NBA honors, a threshold Curry will now fall well short of.
Warriors’ Margin for Error Shrinks
The injury update arrives at a precarious moment for a Warriors team trying to stabilize in a tightening Western Conference playoff race.
Golden State is already without Jimmy Butler, whose season was cut short in January due to an ACL injury. Losing Curry for an extended stretch further strains a roster with little margin for error.
While the clean MRI eliminated fears of catastrophic damage, Dr. Pandya’s reaction underscored a sobering reality: bone bruising is not a footnote. It is a meaningful diagnosis that demands patience — even if the standings do not afford it.
For the Warriors, the question is no longer whether Curry avoided the worst-case outcome. It is whether they can survive without him long enough to keep their season alive.