The Golden State Warriors will rule star guard Stephen Curry out for another two contests because of his ailing knee, stretching his prolonged absence to at least 25 consecutive games, league sources told ESPN.
Curry has graduated to more intensified court work in recent weeks but couldn’t get clearance for a 5-on-5 scrimmage in recent days as the team had previously hoped.
Curry has not given up hope on returning late in the regular season, team sources said, and will use the next week in another attempt to ramp up his court work and get the green light to scrimmage from Rick Celebrini, the franchise’s lead medical decision-maker who has been cautious about Curry’s bothersome right knee.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged pregame Friday that the clock is ticking on a Curry return, indicating Curry needs a green light soon or a shutdown would be inevitable.
“We’re not bringing him back [only] for the play-in game,” Kerr said. “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.”
The Warriors have tumbled without Curry, going 8-15 in his absence and falling to 35-38 overall, firmly planting them in the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
They’ve already lost both their starting wings, Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, to season-ending knee injuries, and there’s been internal conversation within the franchise about whether bringing Curry back is worth it in what has felt like a doomed season.
But Curry has maintained motivation to get back on the floor despite several setbacks since he initially left the lineup Jan. 30 because of “runner’s knee.” Multiple MRIs have ruled out structural damage, but pain and swelling have persisted.
Curry will miss Friday night’s home game against the Washington Wizards and Sunday’s road contest at the Denver Nuggets. The Warriors play again Wednesday at home on ESPN against the San Antonio Spurs.
The regular season ends April 12. The Warriors are locked into the play-in bracket.
