Steph Curry Out Again as Warriors Face League-Leading Thunder Defense
The Golden State Warriors will be without their cornerstone once again, as Steph Curry has officially been ruled out for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Curry is still recovering from a left quad contusion he suffered during the Warriors’ loss to the Houston Rockets on November 26. This marks the second straight game he’ll miss - and his sixth absence of the season.
And while Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made it clear the injury isn’t considered long-term, he also admitted there’s still no clear timeline for Curry’s return. That lack of clarity is a tough pill to swallow for a Golden State squad still searching for rhythm in a season that's been anything but steady.
Warriors Without Curry: A Team Searching for Answers
Curry has been one of the few bright spots for the Warriors in what’s been a rollercoaster start to their 2025-26 campaign. Through the games he’s played, the two-time MVP has looked like himself - averaging 27.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting an efficient 47.1% from the field and 39.1% from deep. He’s still the engine that makes this team go, and when he’s not on the floor, the drop-off is noticeable.
Golden State is just 2-3 in games without Curry this season, and the offense has struggled to find consistency in those matchups. The scoring totals in those five games?
116, 104, 114, 96, and 104. That’s an average of 106.8 points per game - a noticeable dip, especially considering one of those 104-point outings came against a New Orleans team ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive rating.
Facing the NBA’s Top Defense Without Their Star
The timing of Curry’s absence couldn’t be worse. The Warriors are walking into a matchup with an Oklahoma City team that’s been elite on the defensive end.
"I don't think any of us are too concerned that this is a long term thing but we also don't have clarity on when he's exactly going to play."
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 2, 2025
-Steve Kerr says the Warriors staff isn't worried about Steph Curry's quad injury (@WillardAndDibs)
🎧https://t.co/Jg46oryuwF pic.twitter.com/skKYsaALRg
The Thunder currently lead the NBA in both defensive rating (103.6) and opponent points per game (106.7). That’s not the kind of team you want to face when you’re potentially down your top two offensive weapons.
Jimmy Butler III is also listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game, which only adds to the uncertainty. Without Curry, and possibly without Butler, Golden State could be severely undermanned against a Thunder squad that’s been one of the league’s best so far this season. OKC has lost just once all year and already proved they can contain the Warriors - holding them to 102 points earlier this season with Curry in the lineup.
Offensive Struggles Becoming a Theme
The Warriors’ offensive woes aren’t just tied to Curry’s absence - they’ve been a season-long trend. Golden State currently ranks 23rd in the league in offensive rating, a far cry from the high-powered attacks we’ve come to expect during the dynasty years. Without Curry’s gravity and shot-making, the ball movement slows, the spacing shrinks, and the role players are forced into tougher looks.
That’s a tough formula to overcome against a team like Oklahoma City, who not only defends at a high level but also boasts one of the best young stars in the game in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder are long, athletic, and disciplined - the kind of defense that thrives on disrupting rhythm and capitalizing on mistakes.
What’s Next for Golden State?
The Warriors are hovering around .500, and the West isn’t getting any easier. Every game counts, and every absence from Curry puts added pressure on a roster that’s still trying to find its identity. With no clear return date for their franchise player, Golden State will need to dig deep - and fast - if they want to stay afloat in a stacked conference.
For now, all eyes turn to Tuesday night. And without Curry on the floor, the Warriors will need someone - anyone - to step up and carry the load against one of the NBA’s toughest defenses.