Stephen Curry’s ongoing knee injury has officially ruled him out of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, with the event less than a week away.
The Golden State Warriors cannot afford another setback at this stage of the season. While All-Star Weekend is traditionally a time for rest and to showcase the league’s best, Curry’s absence highlights a deeper concern for a team still fighting to stay competitive.
What began as doubt and uncertainty has now become a major blow to the Warriors’ season and NBA’s showcase event.
Stephen Curry’s Knee Injury Forces Him Out of All-Star Game
How Curry’s Injury Ruled Him Out of the All-Star Game
Curry suffered a knee injury over a week ago in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Since then, the 12-time NBA All-Star has missed four consecutive games and will sit out the Warriors’ final contest before the All-Star break.
An MRI revealed that Curry is dealing with runner’s knee, an injury that typically requires around three weeks of rehabilitation. Head coach Steve Kerr has now confirmed that Curry will miss this year’s All-Star Game.
For a player who has rarely missed the event, Curry’s absence highlights just how serious the Warriors’ are prioritising the remainder of the season for their 37-year-old franchise hero. Curry now joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as one of the big names missing the All-Star Game due to injury. No replacement for Team USA has been announced yet.
When Should Curry Be Expected to Return?
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reports that Curry will return in the Warriors’ first game back after the All-Star break. This is scheduled for February 19 against the 34-19 Boston Celtics. Curry’s return will coincide with Kristaps Porziņģis’ Warriors debut, adding extra excitement for Dub Nation as the 7’2″ big man faces his former team.
While missing the All-Star Game is disappointing, Curry’s expected immediate post-break return provides real optimism for Golden State’s playoff push.
What Curry’s Absence Means for the Warriors
By resting their two-time All-Star MVP, the Warriors are showing they’re thinking strategically with the long-term future in mind. However, the numbers show how vulnerable they’ve been without their leader. Golden State holds a 5-9 record without Curry this season, and it’s becoming a major worry. Without him, the Dubs find it difficult to find a consistent rhythm on offense as they struggle to rely on their supporting cast.
It shows how fragile their season is: without Curry, their margin for error shrinks even further. But protecting their guard now gives the Warriors a chance to reset, fine-tune their rotation and build momentum for the second half of the season.
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