The Golden State Warriors’ Friday night matchup against the Detroit Pistons took an unfortunate turn when Stephen Curry exited early with a knee issue - a development that casts a shadow over an otherwise solid individual performance.
Curry, who’s been a steady presence for Golden State throughout the 2025-26 season, appeared to tweak something in his right knee during the third quarter. Midway through the frame, he began showing signs of discomfort, prompting the team’s medical staff to take a closer look.
After a brief evaluation, Curry made his way to the locker room and did not return. The Warriors later confirmed he was dealing with right knee soreness and would sit out the rest of the game.
That’s not the kind of update Warriors fans wanted to hear, especially with the team fighting to stay in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Curry has been the engine behind much of Golden State’s offense this season, and any time he’s off the floor, the ripple effects are immediate.
Before exiting, Curry put together a typically efficient outing. In just 25 minutes, he poured in 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
He hit four of his 10 attempts from deep and was perfect at the line, going 5-for-5. While he didn’t rack up big assist or rebound numbers - finishing with two dimes, one board, and a block - his scoring was once again central to the Warriors’ offensive rhythm.
Now, the focus shifts to Curry’s health moving forward. Right knee soreness can mean a lot of things, and the Warriors will no doubt be cautious with their franchise cornerstone. Given how tight the Western playoff picture is shaping up to be, Golden State can’t afford to lose Curry for an extended stretch - but they also can’t afford to rush him back too soon.
This is a team that’s relied on Curry's brilliance for over a decade, and even in his 17th season, he continues to be the heartbeat of the franchise. The Warriors have shown flashes of cohesion this season, but without their floor general, the margin for error gets razor-thin.
We’ll keep an eye on updates from the team in the coming days. For now, Golden State will be holding its breath.