Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry says he’s still battling an unpredictable knee issue, offering a rare candid update that suggests his return might be farther off than some had hoped.
The veteran All-Star has yet to resume on-court work as he rehabs a persistent right knee problem, leaving the Warriors to navigate a difficult stretch of the season without their franchise cornerstone.
Curry spoke with ESPN‘s Malika Andrews during Saturday’s 129-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and acknowledged that there’s “not much reason for optimism in the near future” with his recovery.
“This is a weird one. It’s kind of unpredictable how it’ll heal,” Curry said. “Every day since All-Star Weekend has been progress, that’s all I can ask for. Hopefully I’m back out [there] soon … It’s going to be a little longer.”
The 37-year-old’s absence has been one of the defining storylines of Golden State‘s season. Curry last played on January 30 and has now missed double-digit games with what the team has described as a case of patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as “runner’s knee.”
Multiple MRIs have shown no structural damage, yet the soreness persists and hasn’t permitted him to rejoin full practices or team drills.
While “feeling better,” Curry admitted he still hasn’t taken the court, and that the focus has been on stacking good days of recovery rather than rushing back prematurely.
For a player who has defined an era with his shooting and ball-handling brilliance, the situation represents a frustrating and unfamiliar battle with a nagging injury that resists easy timelines.
Warriors face uphill battle in Curry’s absence
Without Curry’s scoring and playmaking influence, the Warriors have struggled to find rhythm and consistency.
They are currently treading water in the Western Conference standings and battling to maintain a play-in or direct playoff seed. The team’s offense has looked noticeably less potent without its focal point, and every loss has magnified the importance of his eventual return.
Head coach Steve Kerr has stated that the Warriors are approaching Curry’s recovery with caution.
Golden State is giving him an extended rest period and will re-evaluate his status in about 10 days, a timeline that ensures another slate of games without their star.
“It’s just lingering soreness. We were hoping, obviously, that he’d be ready for tonight after getting the All-Star break, but that wasn’t the case. He just needs more time,” Kerr said on February 19.
Their current stretch without Curry is far from easy. The Warriors are navigating matchups against playoff contenders and top conference foes, meaning every contest feels more like a must-win for positioning.
Without Curry directing the offense or spacing the floor with his gravity, Golden State‘s bench and role players have been tasked with carrying heavier loads.
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