Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 29-27 record.
Stephen Curry is sidelined with runner’s knee and will miss at least the next five games. Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Warriors are clinging to their playoff position without their two best players available.
But Curry is not concerned about the noise surrounding Golden State’s inconsistent season. He believes the Warriors can compete with anyone in the Western Conference if they make the playoffs.
What Curry Said About the Warriors’ Playoff Chances
Curry addressed the Warriors’ situation in an interview with ESPN.
“This has been such a unique year, but as long as we can find our way into a playoff series, we feel like we are a tough out for anybody at the top of the West,” Curry said.
That statement reflects Curry’s confidence in what the Warriors can do when healthy. Golden State has dealt with injuries all season. The rotation has been inconsistent. The wins have been hard to come by at times. But Curry believes the talent is there to challenge the top teams in the conference.
He pointed specifically to Kristaps Porzingis as a key factor. The Warriors acquired Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. Porzingis made his Warriors debut Thursday night against the Boston Celtics and finished with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench.
“With Porzingis here, hopefully, he’s healthy and able to be out there consistently because we know what he’s capable of doing,” Curry said.
That last line is crucial. Curry knows the Warriors need Porzingis on the floor. His size, shooting, and rim protection give Golden State a dimension they have not had all season. If Porzingis can stay healthy and build his conditioning, the Warriors become a far more dangerous playoff matchup.
Why Curry’s Confidence Matters
Curry is not just talking for the sake of talking.
He has been in this position before. The Warriors have made deep playoff runs as lower seeds. They know how to navigate seven-game series. And they understand that matchups matter more than seeding once the postseason begins.
The Western Conference is wide open this year. The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the top seed and started the season on fire, but they have looked more vulnerable over the last couple of months. The San Antonio Spurs have been impressive but remain young and inexperienced. The Denver Nuggets are dealing with injuries. The Los Angeles Lakers have star power but lack depth.
Golden State has experience. They have Curry, who can take over games in ways few players in the league can. They have Draymond Green, who anchors the defense and provides leadership. And now they have Porzingis, who gives them a legitimate scoring threat in the frontcourt.
The question is whether the Warriors can get healthy and build momentum heading into the postseason. Curry will be re-evaluated in 10 days. His MRI showed no structural damage, which is encouraging. But runner’s knee requires rest and management. The Warriors cannot afford to rush him back.
Meanwhile, Porzingis needs time to integrate into the system and build his conditioning. He has not played three consecutive games since early November. His body is still adjusting to the demands of NBA competition. If he can stay on the floor and provide consistent production, the Warriors become a much tougher out in a playoff series.
Warriors' Stephen Curry will be re-evaluated in 10 days due to his persistent right knee injury, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. He has been sidelined since Jan. 30 and will miss at least five more games. https://t.co/9qnnIbfUGm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2026
What the Warriors Must Do Down the Stretch
The Warriors have 26 games remaining in the regular season.
They need to stay in the playoff picture while Curry recovers. That means winning games without their best player on the floor. Golden State is 6-10 when Curry does not play this season. Those numbers need to improve if the Warriors want to avoid the play-in tournament.
Porzingis will be critical during this stretch. He needs to ramp up his minutes and provide the offensive production the Warriors are missing without Curry and Butler. Al Horford and Green need to anchor the defense. And the supporting cast needs to step up.
The margin for error is thin. The Warriors are just three games ahead of the ninth-place Los Angeles Clippers. They trail the Phoenix Suns by three games for the seventh seed and the Minnesota Timberwolves by five games for the sixth seed. Every game matters from this point forward.
But Curry’s message suggests the Warriors are not panicking. They believe they can compete with anyone if they make the playoffs. That confidence comes from experience. It comes from knowing what it takes to win in the postseason. And it comes from believing in the talent on the roster.
Final Word for the Warriors
Stephen Curry believes the Warriors can compete with anyone in the Western Conference.
His message was clear. If Golden State makes the playoffs, they will be a tough matchup for the top teams. That confidence is not empty talk. It is based on experience, talent, and the belief that matchups matter more than seeding once the postseason begins.
The Warriors need to get healthy first. Curry will miss at least the next five games. Porzingis is still building his conditioning. Butler is done for the season. Those are significant obstacles.
But if Curry can return and stay healthy, and if Porzingis can provide consistent production, the Warriors have a chance. They may not be the favorites. But they have enough talent and experience to make life difficult for anyone in their path.
Curry has been in this position before. He knows what it takes to win in the playoffs. And he believes the Warriors still have what it takes to compete. The next few weeks will determine whether that belief is justified.