Stephen Curry will miss at least five more Golden State Warriors games with a right knee injury, the team confirmed Wednesday, sidelining the star guard through the All-Star break and extending his absence to over a month.
Curry has been diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as “runner’s knee,” which causes pain and swelling around the kneecap. An MRI revealed no structural damage, according to the Warriors, but the team is taking a cautious approach to his recovery.
The 37-year-classic has appeared in 39 games this season, averaging 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 39.1 percent from three-point range. His absence is a significant blow to the Warriors, currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 29-26 record.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Curry would also miss the team’s final two games before the All-Star break, and subsequently confirmed he would not participate in the All-Star Game itself, held this year in Los Angeles. Curry was originally named as a starter for the annual exhibition game, marking his 12th All-Star selection.
“He’s doing well,” Kerr said earlier this month, as reported by the Associated Press. “It’s really kind of a day-to-day thing, so it’s hard to predict for sure whether he’ll be playing in that first game after the break but that’s definitely the hope, and if he is, if he can get through everything this week, then that puts him on pace to be playing.” The Warriors’ first game following the All-Star break is scheduled for February 19th against the Boston Celtics.
Curry initially sustained the injury during a January 30th game against the Detroit Pistons, exiting the contest early with a sore knee. He had previously missed 14 games this season due to a combination of illness and various injuries, including a left quadriceps contusion and ankle sprains.
The Warriors are already facing challenges due to injuries, with Jimmy Butler ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Butler sustained the injury during a game against his former team, the Miami Heat, on January 19th.
Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been named as Curry’s replacement on the All-Star roster.
