Stephen Curry's remarkable streak of five consecutive All-NBA honors is in serious jeopardy. The Golden State Warriors' star guard remains sidelined for their matchup against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center, with "runner's knee" keeping him off the court.
Curry's absence has stretched to five games before the All-Star break, and despite hopes for a quick return, the 2-time MVP didn't practice with the team on Wednesday, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about his immediate future.
The All-NBA race is slipping away from Curry. Thursday's game marks the 17th he's missed this season, meaning the 37-year-old must play every remaining game to meet the 65-game requirement for All-NBA consideration. With his knee injury casting doubt over his return against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the odds are stacked against him.
If Curry misses another game beyond Thursday, it'll mark his first absence from the All-NBA team in six seasons, and only the second time in 13 years. His previous streak from 2014 to 2019 included a Third Team nod in 2018, despite playing just 51 games. That streak was interrupted in 2020 when a hand injury limited him to five games, leaving the Warriors at the bottom of the league.
Since then, Curry has reestablished himself as a perennial All-NBA contender. However, the NBA's introduction of a 65-game threshold has added a new layer of complexity to the selection process, sparking much debate.
Despite his current injury, Curry's performance this season has been stellar. He was named an All-Star starter, although he couldn't participate in Sunday's game in Los Angeles. Averaging 27.2 points per game-his highest in three years-along with 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists, Curry has been shooting an impressive 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.
While the All-NBA nod seems unlikely, the Warriors face a bigger challenge: navigating the rest of the season without their leader. With a 2-3 record in the games Curry missed before the break, Golden State's hopes for a top-six seed hinge on his return. If Curry's sidelined for much longer, the Warriors' playoff aspirations could be in serious trouble.