Bold statement: Stephen Curry’s absence tonight isn’t just a blip for the Warriors—it’s a reminder of how vital his presence is to their season. And this is the part most people miss: even a star can be sidelined by rest and careful medical decisions, which can shape outcomes for weeks.
Warriors star Stephen Curry will sit out Thursday night’s game versus the Boston Celtics due to knee pain and swelling, according to Golden State’s injury report. He has not played since January 30 after suffering a knee issue and has missed 16 games this season. The Warriors are 6-10 in games Curry has missed this year.
The knee in question is typically described as runner’s knee, a common overuse injury. Ahead of the clash, Warriors coach Steve Kerr had shown cautious optimism that reducing pain and swelling could enable a return, but Curry ultimately told the team he isn’t ready. He sat out Golden State’s final five games before the All-Star break and wants to ensure the issue is properly managed before stepping back onto the court.
As Curry put it, the goal is to “get rid of all the inflammation and pain.” He emphasized ongoing monitoring and injury management, noting that returning too soon could trigger a flare-up.
Coach Kerr didn’t rule out an MRI after a medical consult, reflecting the practical steps teams take to confirm a safe return.
This season, Curry is averaging 27.2 points per game while shooting 39.1 percent. He will turn 38 next month and is in his 17th NBA season.
Without him, Golden State has gone 2-3 in their last five games. Boston enters with momentum, having won six of their previous seven.
The Celtics-Warriors game kicks off a four-game West Coast road trip for Boston, with stops in Golden State, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver before they return to TD Garden to host the Nets on February 27.
The Warriors will look to spark the lineup with Kristaps Porzingis, who just joined Golden State in a trade with Atlanta two weeks ago and will make his Warriors debut on Thursday. Al Horford, a longtime Celtic who signed with Golden State in the offseason, is also set to play.
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. He joined the team in 2022 after previously covering college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi.
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