The Golden State Warriors' 126-113 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night had all the makings of a classic Bay Area performance: crisp ball movement, timely shot-making, and, of course, Stephen Curry doing Stephen Curry things. But what wasn’t immediately obvious-until Curry limped through the Chase Center tunnel postgame-was that he’d been playing through a quad contusion. And yet, you wouldn’t have known it from the way he carved up New York’s defense.
Curry dropped 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, added seven assists, and grabbed three boards in 34 minutes of action. He hit four triples and looked every bit the conductor of Golden State’s offense, orchestrating possessions with the kind of poise and precision we’ve come to expect from the two-time MVP. After the game, he confirmed he’d been dealing with the injury but “played through it,” a quiet nod to the weight he still carries for this team.
That’s the thing about Curry-he doesn’t just lead; he stabilizes. In a season that’s been anything but steady for the Warriors, his presence continues to be the difference between chaos and cohesion.
The win over the Knicks bumped Golden State to 23-19, marking the first time all season they’ve been four games over .500. In a Western Conference where the standings are tighter than ever, that’s more than just a stat-it’s a signal that the Warriors are starting to find their stride.
And it hasn’t come easy. The 2025-26 campaign has been a rollercoaster for Golden State, with injuries and lineup tweaks forcing Steve Kerr to shuffle the deck more than he’d like.
But lately, there’s been a sense of rhythm returning to this group. Moses Moody has stepped into a bigger role, giving the offense a boost with his slashing and shot-making.
Brandin Podziemski has brought energy and playmaking, helping to keep the second unit afloat. Still, everything flows through Curry.
He sets the tone, the pace, and when the game tightens late, he’s the one who makes sure the Warriors don’t blink.
Individually, Curry continues to operate at an All-Star level. He’s averaging north of 28 points per game and remains one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters.
And he’s doing it while gutting through injuries-like the quad contusion he battled against the Knicks. It’s a reminder of just how much he means to this team, not just as a scorer, but as the emotional and strategic heartbeat of the franchise.
As the Warriors push deeper into the second half of the season, their playoff hopes will hinge on Curry’s health and continued brilliance. If Thursday night was any indication, he’s still got plenty left in the tank-even when he’s not at 100%. And for Golden State, that’s both a relief and a rallying point.