The Golden State Warriors are limping into their Tuesday night matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers-literally and figuratively. Already navigating a season full of ups and downs, the Warriors will be without Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga, both sidelined with knee issues. That’s a tough blow for a team still trying to find its rhythm heading into the All-Star break.
Curry is dealing with what the team is calling “runner’s knee,” officially known as patellofemoral pain syndrome. It’s the kind of nagging injury that can linger if not managed carefully.
He appeared to tweak it during a third-quarter drive in Friday’s loss to the Pistons, finishing the play with an and-one but clearly feeling discomfort. The Warriors are listing him as day-to-day, and with a road game against the Suns on Thursday and a marquee matchup with the Lakers on Saturday, there’s a chance they give him the extra rest.
Either way, expect the team to tread cautiously with their franchise cornerstone.
Jonathan Kuminga is also out, nursing a bruised left knee. While the injury may not be serious, the timing is notable-with the trade deadline just days away, Golden State could be keeping Kuminga off the floor as a precaution. Whether it’s to protect a potential deal or simply to give other players like Gui Santos more run, his absence adds another wrinkle to a team already juggling rotation questions.
Meanwhile, Seth Curry remains sidelined with a back issue but is progressing in his rehab. He’s been seen working out on the court and is scheduled to be re-evaluated on February 14.
The Sixers, on the other hand, are dealing with their own availability rollercoaster. Joel Embiid is back in the lineup and logging heavy minutes, returning to form as the dominant force in the paint.
Paul George, however, won’t be suiting up. He’s serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s Anti-Drug Program, leaving a noticeable gap in Philadelphia’s wing rotation.
That opens the door for Kelly Oubre Jr., a familiar face to Warriors fans. Oubre has been quietly effective this season, averaging 14.2 points per game and catching fire from deep over the last 10 contests. His perimeter shooting could pose a real problem for a Warriors defense that has had its share of lapses guarding the arc.
The Sixers’ backcourt will also be worth watching. Tyrese Maxey continues to flash All-Star talent, and rookie VJ Edgecombe brings a burst of athleticism and energy.
While both have been in a bit of a shooting slump, their speed and aggression could test Golden State’s transition defense-especially without Curry and Kuminga on the floor. If Maxey and Edgecombe find their rhythm, don’t be surprised if they combine for a barrage of threes.
The Sixers are coming off a Monday night game against the Clippers, so fatigue could play a factor. But even on the second night of a back-to-back, Philadelphia’s mix of star power and depth will challenge a Warriors team still trying to piece things together.
With the trade deadline looming and the All-Star break on the horizon, this stretch of games could be pivotal for Golden State. They’re short-handed, banged up, and in need of answers. Tuesday night in Philly won’t provide all of them-but it might reveal just how deep this team can dig when the chips are down.