Curry Sits Out Lakers Matchup as He Recovers from Knee Injury

Warriors star guard still working his way back after missing over 2 months

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:17pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-perspective view of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color.Curry's cautious return to the court leaves a fragmented void in the Warriors' lineup against their longtime rivals.Los Angeles Today

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry made his return to the court this week after missing over two months with a runner's knee injury, scoring 29 points in a home loss to the Houston Rockets. However, Curry will sit out Thursday night's late-season matchup against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers as he continues to manage his recovery.

Why it matters

Curry's injury and absence has been a major storyline for the Warriors this season, as the team has struggled without their star point guard. His return is a positive sign, but the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure he is fully healthy before ramping up his minutes and workload.

The details

Curry initially suffered the runner's knee injury in late January and has been sidelined for over two months. In his return game against the Rockets, he played 32 minutes and looked sharp, but the Warriors are being careful not to overexert him too soon in his recovery process.

  • Curry suffered the runner's knee injury in late January 2026.
  • Curry missed over 2 months due to the injury.
  • Curry made his return on April 7, 2026, scoring 29 points in a home loss to the Rockets.
  • Curry will sit out the April 9, 2026 matchup against the Lakers.

The players

Stephen Curry

Superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors who is recovering from a runner's knee injury that sidelined him for over 2 months.

LeBron James

Veteran superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who will face the Warriors without Curry in the lineup.

Houston Rockets

The team Curry faced in his return game, where he scored 29 points in a losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to continue to be cautious with Steph as he works his way back. The most important thing is that he's healthy and ready for the playoffs.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

Curry's status will continue to be monitored as the Warriors push for playoff positioning in the final weeks of the regular season.

The takeaway

Curry's return is a positive sign for the Warriors, but the team is wisely taking a measured approach to ensure he is fully recovered from the knee injury before ramping up his minutes and workload. His absence against the Lakers is a disappointment for fans, but the long-term health of their superstar is the top priority.