Stephen Curry will sit out the Golden State Warriors’ Thursday night clash against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the team officially listing him as out due to management of a right knee injury — specifically described as runner’s knee. It’s a calculated decision by the Warriors’ medical and coaching staff, and one that speaks volumes about where the franchise’s focus currently lies as the 2025-26 NBA season enters its final stretch.
Curry only recently returned to action after a lengthy absence that kept him off the court for 27 games between 2 February and 2 April. The 38-year-old looked sharp on his return, dropping 29 points against the Houston Rockets on 5 April and following that up with 17 points against the Sacramento Kings two days later. For a player of his age coming back from an extended lay-off, those numbers were encouraging — but the Warriors clearly aren’t willing to push their luck.
Across 41 appearances this season, Curry has averaged 27 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His shooting efficiency has remained at the elite level fans have come to expect from the 12-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer — shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.2% from three-point range, and 91.2% from the free-throw line. Those are numbers that would make any franchise in the league jealous.
With the Lakers game off the table for Curry, Golden State will then travel to face the Kings before wrapping up their regular season against the Los Angeles Clippers on 12 April. It’s a punishing schedule to close things out, and managing Curry’s workload through this stretch makes complete sense given what’s at stake.
Stephen Curry’s Availability Will Be Crucial as Warriors Eye NBA Play-In Tournament Run
Resting Curry now is a strong signal that the Warriors are thinking beyond the regular season. Golden State has clinched the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, meaning they’re headed for the NBA Play-In Tournament — a high-stakes, win-or-go-home format that leaves zero room for error.
To secure a No. 8 seed and earn a proper playoff berth, the Warriors will need to win two consecutive games, likely both on the road. Their first expected opponent is the Portland Trail Blazers. Win that, and they’d face the loser of the No. 7 vs No. 8 seed match-up between the Phoenix Suns and the Clippers — all for a shot at the final playoff spot in the West.
It’s a brutal path, but it’s not impossible — especially with Curry healthy and firing. That’s precisely why the team is being careful with him now. A few extra days of rest on a tender knee could be the difference between a Curry who survives a two-game gauntlet and one who fades out in the first round.
For South African NBA fans who’ve followed Curry’s career closely, this season has been a reminder of just how extraordinary a player he remains even at 38 years old. The knee concern is real, but the Warriors’ medical team appears to have this well managed — resting him proactively rather than reactively.
Golden State’s Play-In window is fast approaching, and every decision made in these final regular-season games is being made with that in mind. The Warriors aren’t tanking, and they aren’t panicking — they’re simply protecting their most valuable asset at exactly the right moment. If Curry comes into the Play-In tournament fresh, rested, and with that jumper dialled in, the No. 10 seed label might mean very little once the real basketball begins.