Warriors Urged to Shut Down Curry for Rest of Season

Lingering knee injury has sidelined star player for over a month as Warriors struggle to make playoffs

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:20pm

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The 2025-26 NBA season has not gone as planned for the Golden State Warriors, with Stephen Curry missing over a month due to a lingering knee injury and the team backsliding towards the 10th seed in the Western Conference. Despite Curry's eagerness to return, reports suggest the Warriors should consider shutting him down for the rest of the season to allow his knee to fully heal and avoid further complications.

Why it matters

With the Warriors' playoff hopes fading and Curry's contract up after next season, the team needs to prioritize his long-term health and ensure he enters the 2026-27 campaign at full strength to make one last championship push.

The details

Curry initially suffered the knee injury in a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 30th. While the MRI showed no structural damage, the pain has persisted as Curry has tried to ramp up his workouts, leading the team to take a cautious approach. The Warriors have played it safe with their superstar, citing fears of reinjury as the reason for his extended absence.

  • Curry left the game against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30 with knee soreness.
  • Curry was expected to return after the All-Star break but has now missed over a month.

The players

Stephen Curry

A 38-year-old superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors who is currently sidelined with a lingering knee injury.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors who has relayed Curry's frustration with the persistent injury.

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What they’re saying

“He wants to be out there for his guys. It's obviously been an injury that's lasted a lot longer than anyone thought it would. He's dying to be out there, but there's not a whole lot that goes into it.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

With 12 games remaining in the season and the Warriors struggling to make the playoffs, the team may decide to shut down Curry for the rest of the year to ensure he is fully healthy heading into the 2026-27 season, which could be his last chance to compete for a championship.

The takeaway

Curry's health and long-term future should be the top priority for the Warriors, even if it means shutting him down for the remainder of this disappointing season. Rushing him back risks further injury and could jeopardize the team's chances of contending next year, which may be Curry's final opportunity to win another title.