Warriors Running Out of Time to Bring Steph Curry Back, and That's a Good Thing The Golden State Warriors are facing a critical decision as Stephen Curry’s injury timeline continues to stretch, and the team is increasingly leaning toward keeping him sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Curry, who missed the Warriors’ win over the Washington Wizards on March 28, 2026, is expected to sit out at least one more game against the Denver Nuggets, extending his absence to 25 games since being diagnosed with “runner’s knee” following a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 30, 2026. While Curry has reportedly progressed to more intense individual drills, he has yet to receive clearance for full-contact scrimmages, a key step toward returning to action. Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, has already signaled that the team is prioritizing long-term health over short-term playoff chances. “We’re not bringing him back just for the play-in game,” Kerr said, per ESPN. “He’d need to play some games. We need to give him a runway if this is going to work. And we are running out of games. That’s fair to say.” This statement underscores the team’s growing belief that rushing Curry back could jeopardize his long-term recovery, especially given the severity of his knee injury and the risks of further damage. The Warriors’ decision to keep Curry out is not just about medical caution but also strategic. With the season effectively over for the team, the focus has shifted to maximizing their draft position in the 2026 NBA Draft. By allowing Curry to miss the final eight games of the regular season, the Warriors are positioning themselves to secure a high lottery pick, which could be traded for assets to build a competitive roster for the 2026-27 season.#golden_state_warriors #nba_draft #steve_kerr #stephen_curry #2026_nba_draft
