Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry finds himself navigating one of the most consequential stretches of his career, not just in the NBA but on the international stage as well.
After fulfilling a long-held ambition by winning Olympic gold with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games, Curry‘s availability for future international play, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, has suddenly become uncertain as he manages ongoing health concerns and contemplates the next chapter of his professional journey.
Curry, now 37 and approaching his 17th NBA season, has missed significant time this year due to patellofemoral pain syndrome in his right knee, a form of “runner’s knee” that has kept him out of Golden State‘s lineup since late January.
He has been periodically re-evaluated and remains sidelined while the Warriors cautiously monitor his recovery, with the next major checkup coming soon.
That absence has fueled broader conversations about what’s next for Curry beyond the NBA season, including whether he will pursue a rare second Olympic appearance in 2028.
On ESPN‘s “The Hoop Collective,” NBA insiders weighed in candidly on Curry‘s prospects.
Analyst Anthony Slater said he’d be “stunned” to see Curry play for Team USA in Los Angeles and noted that the star himself has already hinted at doubts about another Olympic bid.
Meanwhile, teammate-turned-commentator Vince Goodwill went a step further, predicting that Curry could retire from the NBA after the 2026-27 season.
Yet the narrative isn’t entirely closed on Curry‘s international future. Fellow ESPN analyst Marc Spears shared that Curry is still “interested to make his second Olympic appearance,” even as he acknowledges the leap in age. Curry will be 40 by the next Summer Games.
“He’s not out,” Spears added, highlighting that the greatest shooter in NBA history could still have value for Team USA if he’s healthy and motivated.
These debates come in sharp contrast to Curry‘s own recent comments about retirement. In an interview with People magazine, he stressed that he is not thinking about retiring “anytime soon.”
The lasting impact of Curry’s health struggles
Curry‘s recent struggles with injury aren’t new in his later career but are among the more persistent issues he’s faced.
The knee problem has cost him numerous games this season and threatens his eligibility for end-of-season awards like All-NBA honors. At this point, he would need to play an unusually high number of games in the final stretch to qualify under league rules.
Curry‘s journey with Team USA has been unconventional. Before 2024, he had spurned Olympic participation twice, once in 2016 due to fatigue and injury concerns following a long NBA season, and again in 2021 amid a focus on health and readiness for the ensuing NBA campaign.
That made his gold-medal performance in Paris all the more meaningful. He delivered clutch moments and steady leadership as part of the U.S. team that defeated France 98-87 in the Olympic final, giving him the one achievement that had long eluded him in an otherwise Hall of Fame-ready résumé.
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