The Golden State Warriors battled hard but fell 131-124 to the East’s top seed, the Detroit Pistons, in a game that quickly became secondary to a bigger concern: Stephen Curry’s health.
Curry exited midway through the third quarter after visibly laboring, sending an immediate wave of anxiety through the arena and the fan base. With the Warriors already navigating a brutal injury stretch, losing their franchise star-even temporarily-would be a crushing blow.
After the game, head coach Steve Kerr offered the first update.
I think he’s okay, I don’t think it’s anything major, but we’ll have an update tomorrow… it was the knee that kept him out of the game in Minneapolis. And so it’s been nagging him the last week or so.
That comment provided cautious relief, but it also confirmed what many suspected: this wasn’t a random tweak. It’s a knee issue Curry has been managing for days.
Curry carrying the load amid Warriors injury crisis
The Warriors are already without Jimmy Butler, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury, and Jonathan Kuminga, sidelined with a bone bruise from a hyperextension. That has left Curry doing what he’s done for over a decade: carrying everything.
Since Butler went down, Curry has averaged 26 points per game, shooting a scorching 40.4% from three on over 10 attempts per night, while also contributing steals and playmaking in limited minutes. Even against Detroit, he poured in 23 points in under 26 minutes before exiting.
But that workload comes at a cost.
Curry has already missed time this season with illness, hamstring issues, and now this persistent knee problem. Kerr’s words suggest the team is well aware they may be walking a fine line between competing now and protecting their most valuable asset for the stretch run.
It’s been nagging him the last week or so.
That’s the key line. Curry wasn’t at 100% to begin with.
Pistons take control as Detroit’s stars close it out
While Curry’s exit dominated headlines, the Detroit Pistons had already built firm control of the game through physical play and offensive efficiency.
Cade Cunningham orchestrated brilliantly, finishing with 29 points and 11 assists, repeatedly breaking down Golden State’s defense. Inside, Jalen Duren dominated the paint with 21 points and 13 rebounds, setting the tone early.
Detroit shot a blistering 76% in the first quarter and carried a 77-64 lead into halftime after a late 16-8 run.
Golden State mounted a furious rally in the third. Curry hit a deep three to cap a 13-2 run that cut the deficit to nine, igniting the crowd. Moments later, he left the game.
Still, the Warriors fought. Buddy Hield and Gui Santos sparked another surge, trimming the lead to three. But Cunningham responded calmly, knocking down a crucial free throw with 1:19 left to extend the margin, and Tobias Harris sealed the win at the line as Golden State went cold late.
Detroit improved to 10 wins in their last 13 games, looking every bit like a legitimate contender.
For the Warriors, however, the bigger story isn’t the loss.
It’s waiting for tomorrow’s medical update – and hoping Kerr’s reassurance holds true.
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