Stephen Curry Sidelined: Knee Injury Forces Warriors Star Out of All-Star Weekend and the Next 2 Games

The image was one that Golden State fans have come to dread, yet have seen too often in recent years: Stephen Curry, the heartbeat of a dynasty, limping toward the locker room. It happened against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter, a jarring interruption to what has been a defiant, brilliant season for the 37-year-old sharpshooter.

On Monday night, the other shoe dropped. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed what many feared—Curry will miss the upcoming All-Star Game in Los Angeles due to lingering issues with his right knee. Diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as “runner’s knee,” Curry will also sit out the Warriors’ next two matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs.

For basketball purists and fans hoping to see the greatest shooter of all time light up the All-Star stage, it’s a massive disappointment. But for the Warriors, this decision is about something much bigger than a weekend exhibition. It’s about survival.

The Reality of Runner’s Knee for Curry

This isn’t a sudden, freak accident. It’s the accumulation of miles on legs that have carried a franchise for nearly two decades. True to his competitive nature, Curry missed just one game in Minnesota before attempting to play through the discomfort.

But the body keeps the score. “It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,” Curry told ESPN, offering a glimpse into the frustrating reality of managing injuries late in a career.

The decision to shut it down now is strategic. Curry admitted that rushing back could cause the injury to flare up again, potentially jeopardizing the rest of the season. The team has circled February 19—a home game against the Boston Celtics—as the target for his return. That gives him nearly two weeks of rest, a crucial window to quiet the inflammation and reset for the stretch run.

A Heavy Blow for a Warriors Team in Limbo

The timing couldn’t be worse for Golden State. Sitting at 28-25 and clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference, the Warriors are fighting to stay relevant in a crowded playoff race. The roster has already been battered; losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL was a gut punch that reshaped the team’s ceiling. Now, asking the supporting cast to stay afloat without Curry is a tall order.

Curry has been the engine keeping the ship moving. Even at age 37, his production has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s averaging 27.2 points per game—his highest mark since the 2022-23 season—while shooting 47% from the floor and 39% from deep. He still leads the NBA in three-pointers made per game (4.0).

Without him on the floor, the Warriors’ offense loses its gravitational center. The next two games against Memphis and San Antonio become significantly harder, and the margin for error shrinks to zero.

The All-Star Stage Loses a Headliner

The NBA’s midseason showcase in Los Angeles will feel a little emptier without No. 30. Curry was voted a Western Conference starter, a testament to his enduring popularity and elite play. This year’s format, featuring a three-team tournament, was set to be a fresh spectacle, but it will now proceed without one of the game’s biggest draws.

Curry isn’t the only star sidelined; Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also out with an abdominal strain. As commissioner Adam Silver scrambles to name replacements for Team USA, the absence of these superstars serves as a reminder of the physical toll the modern NBA season takes.

The Long Game: Why Rest is the Only Option

For Stephen Curry, sitting out the All-Star Game is a concession to age, but it’s also an act of discipline. The competitive fire that drives him to pull up from 30 feet is the same fire that makes sitting on the bench agonizing. But the Warriors don’t need Curry to win an exhibition game in February. They need him in April and May.

“It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage,” Curry said. It’s a sober assessment from a player who knows his window is closing, but isn’t shut yet.

If the Warriors are going to make any noise this postseason, they need the version of Curry that terrorizes defenses, not the one managing a limp. Taking this break now is the only way to ensure that when the lights get brightest, the greatest shooter in history is ready to fire.