Steph Curry won’t be suiting up when the Golden State Warriors face off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, sidelined by what the team is calling patellofemoral pain syndrome - more commonly known as runner’s knee. It’s a nagging condition, one that can linger if not managed carefully, and Curry is still in the thick of the rehab process.
Joining him on the injury list is Luka Dončić, who will also miss the game due to a hamstring issue. So, what was once billed as a marquee showdown between two of the game’s brightest stars now shifts focus to the supporting casts - and for the Warriors, that means navigating yet another game without their leader.
Curry’s been officially listed as day-to-day, but his own words suggest this isn’t a quick turnaround. “It’s trending in the right direction,” he told ESPN.
“It’s different than last year, but something that will heal.” That’s a cautiously optimistic tone, but it also underscores the uncertainty around his timeline.
He’s still dealing with pain and inflammation, and as Curry noted, the rehab process is all about finding what works - and not rushing it. “If I come back too early, it could flare up,” he said. That’s the tightrope he’s walking: pushing for a return, but not at the expense of re-aggravating the knee.
Saturday’s absence will mark Curry’s 14th missed game of the season, and that number carries weight beyond just the Warriors’ win-loss column. Under the league’s new rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for All-NBA honors. Curry is now teetering near that threshold, and if he falls short, it would mark the first time since the injury-shortened 2019-20 campaign that he’s left off the All-NBA list - only the fifth time in his career.
For a player who’s redefined the game and remains the heartbeat of the Warriors, that’s no small footnote. But right now, the priority is clear: get healthy, get right, and return when the knee says it’s time - not a moment sooner.