The Golden State Warriors will be without their superstar guard Stephen Curry for Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry has been officially listed as out as the team continues to carefully manage his right knee injury.
The Warriors are taking a cautious approach with the veteran guard as the team prepares for the upcoming postseason and Play-In Tournament.
Why Stephen Curry Is Not Playing Tonight
According to the NBA injury report, Curry will miss the matchup because of right knee injury management. The issue has been described as “runner’s knee,” which kept the 38-year-old out of action for an extended stretch earlier in the season.
Curry had already missed 27 consecutive games between February 3 and April 2 while recovering from the same injury.
Although he recently returned to action, the Warriors are resting him to prevent further stress on the knee.
Stephen Curry Recent Injury Timeline
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial injury | January 30 vs Detroit Pistons |
| Games missed | 27 games (Feb 3 – Apr 2) |
| Return game | April 5 vs Houston Rockets |
| Latest status | Out vs Lakers for knee management |
Curry’s Performance Since Returning
Curry briefly returned to the lineup earlier this month and immediately showed his scoring ability.
He scored 29 points in his first game back against the Houston Rockets and followed that with a 17-point performance against the Sacramento Kings.
However, the Warriors have limited his minutes to around 25 minutes per game since his return in order to protect his knee.
Stephen Curry 2026 Season Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 41 |
| Points Per Game | 27.0 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 3.5 |
| Assists Per Game | 4.8 |
Even at 38 years old, Curry remains one of the most efficient and dangerous scorers in the league.
Warriors Managing Curry for the Playoffs
The Warriors are currently fighting for postseason positioning in the Western Conference and sit around the Play-In Tournament range.
With the Play-In Tournament scheduled to begin on April 14, the team is prioritizing Curry’s health over short-term regular-season games.
Head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ medical staff are gradually increasing Curry’s workload rather than risking another setback.
Curry himself acknowledged that the recovery process has been challenging and requires daily monitoring of how his knee responds.
Warriors Players Who Could Step Up
With Curry unavailable, several Warriors players are expected to see expanded roles in the offense.
Key Warriors Players to Watch
| Player | Projection / Recent Role |
|---|---|
| Brandin Podziemski | Expected scoring leader with Curry out |
| De’Anthony Melton | Increased usage and steady minutes |
| Gui Santos | Potential scoring boost if active |
Podziemski has previously averaged around 16 points per game when Curry missed time earlier this season, making him one of the primary offensive options.
Melton has also played consistent minutes and could take on a larger scoring role against the Lakers.
Warriors Injury Report Complicates Lineup
The Warriors are dealing with several other injury concerns heading into the matchup.
Warriors Injury Report
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | Out (Right knee management) |
| Kristaps Porzingis | Out (Illness) |
| Al Horford | Out (Calf) |
| Quinten Post | Out (Foot) |
| Will Richard | Out (Back) |
| Gui Santos | Questionable (Pelvic) |
| LJ Cryer | Probable (Illness) |
With multiple players unavailable, Golden State may rely on a shortened rotation against the Lakers.
Focus Remains on Curry’s Long-Term Health
The Warriors’ main goal is ensuring Curry is fully healthy for the postseason rather than pushing him during the final regular-season games.
Curry remains the centerpiece of Golden State’s offense and their best chance of making a deep playoff run.
By carefully managing his minutes and rest schedule, the team hopes to have its franchise star at full strength once the Play-In Tournament begins.
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