Stephen Curry has missed three games for the Golden State Warriors due to a knee injury, and it appears that at least two more players will also be unavailable. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr informed reporters on Saturday that Curry is unlikely to return before the next All-Star break. Curry sat out the game that evening against the Los Angeles Lakers and is doubtful for Monday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Kerr commented, “There’s a good chance he won’t play until after the break. We’ll take it one day at a time, but he’s questionable for Monday.” The Warriors have two games left before the All-Star break: the upcoming contest against the Grizzlies and a home game versus the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Their first game after the break is scheduled for February 19th against the Boston Celtics.
The Warriors will continue to compete without key players. Jimmy Butler is already sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, and former contributors Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield have been traded to the Atlanta Hawks. In return, Golden State acquired big man Kristaps Porzingis, who has been out since early January due to an Achilles injury.
Coach Kerr noted that Porzingis will also remain out until after the All-Star break, stating, “He trained with Rick today, so we’ll see how it goes from here. The plan is for him to stay in the Bay during the break and return to play afterward.” As of Saturday, the Warriors held the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 28-24 record.
Fan Take: This setback for the Warriors highlights how injuries can dramatically impact even championship-caliber teams and shifts the competitive balance in the Western Conference. Basketball fans should watch closely to see how Golden State adapts without Curry and Porzingis, as it could redefine the playoff landscape and test the depth and resilience of their roster.
