Stephen Curry’s lingering right knee issue will keep him out through the All-Star break, with the Golden State Warriors confirming that the star guard will not participate in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles as he continues to manage patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before Monday night’s game against Memphis that Curry will also miss Wednesday’s matchup against San Antonio, making it four consecutive games on the sideline. The team is optimistic that the extended rest will allow Curry to return after the break, with Golden State’s next game scheduled for Feb. 19 against Boston at Chase Center.
“He’s doing well,” Kerr said. “It’s really kind of a day-to-day thing. It’s hard to predict for sure whether he’ll be playing in that first game after the break, but that’s definitely the hope. If he can get through everything this week, then that puts him on pace to be playing.”
Curry, who turns 38 on March 14, last appeared on Jan. 30, when he exited early from a 131-124 home loss to Detroit after aggravating the knee. Kerr said the discomfort had been building for about a week before that game, prompting an MRI examination shortly thereafter.
The absence marked Curry’s 15th missed game of the season. Golden State went 5-9 in the previous 14 games without him, as Curry has dealt with multiple issues throughout the year, including illness, a left quadriceps contusion, ankle injuries in both legs, right knee inflammation and the current patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Golden State is also navigating life without Curry’s backcourt partner, Jimmy Butler, who underwent season-ending surgery Monday to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Butler was injured Jan. 19 in a game against his former Miami team, leaving the Warriors without two key guards as they approach the All-Star break.
