The 2025-26 NBA season has gone nothing like the Warriors anticipated. Stephen Curry has missed over a month with a lingering knee injury, Jimmy Butler tore his ACL, and they are without nearly half their roster. With Golden State backsliding towards the 10th seed, the injury-plagued team is running out of time to make a playoff push.
Recent reports have confirmed that Curry will miss at least the next few games as he continues to work his way back from patellofemoral pain syndrome. Despite the 38-year-old’s prolonged absence, he is still expected to return before the end of the season. But with 12 games remaining on the schedule, it may not be worth it for Curry to rush back.
Curry’s Injury
Curry left the game against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30 in the second half with what the team described as knee soreness. As he was ramping up to return after the All-Star break, sources revealed that the injury was worse than anticipated, forcing him to miss a month more than what was expected.
The Warriors have played it safe with their superstar thus far, citing fears of reinjury as the reason for his extended absence. In Curry’s case, there is no magic remedy to expedite the healing process; rest and recovery are the primary treatments.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that whenever Curry begins to ramp up his workouts, knee pain resurfaces. This is particularly concerning for an NBA veteran who has already missed time earlier in the season with a quad contusion and muscle strain.
The good news for the Warriors is that the MRIs have shown no structural damage. Still, it is better to proceed with caution than risk a worse injury when managing their franchise cornerstone.
Focus on Next Season
Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all each have one year left on their contract. Sitting at the ninth seed, oscillating between play-in positions isn’t something Curry should rush back to.
With next year touted as the potential “last dance” for the Steph Curry era to competitively chase a championship, the Warriors can’t afford to have him hurt to start the season. Any legitimate shot at contending for a title dwindled once Butler went down, and it looks more uncertain with much of the roster hurt.
It isn’t worth it for the Warriors to go all-out in the final month just to chase the eighth seed. In a loaded Western Conference, the Warriors will face a formidable opponent no matter what position they finish.
The two-time MVP is eager to make his return to the hardwood, but knows the importance of fully healing first. Coach Steve Kerr relayed Curry’s frustration with the persistent injury on 95.7 The Game’s Willard & Dibs.
“He wants to be out there for his guys,” Kerr said. “It’s obviously been an injury that’s lasted a lot longer than anyone thought it would. He’s dying to be out there, but there’s not a whole lot that goes into it.”
Play it Safe
Based on Curry’s knee flaring up following on-court activity, any extra force exerted by the knee before it is fully healed could cause further complications down the line. Golden State should redirect its energy into ensuring that Curry enters the offseason healthy so that he can make the most out of next season.
Watching the greatest shooter of all time hoop is an honor that every basketball fan should cherish. No one should question whether or not he wants to get back out there and help his team. If the season had gone the way the Warriors hoped, Curry would have had reinforcements healthy alongside him. He would have a reason to rush back, but that isn’t the Warriors’ reality.
Curry’s love for the game is undeniable. He has given everything he has to helping the Warriors and to fortifying his legacy. His relentless competitiveness and inextinguishable passion for the game are what make him so great. But, in his and the Warriors’ best interests, he may need to be held back from himself.
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