Golden State’s Star Point Guard Out Through All-Star Break
What began as suspicion has now been confirmed: Stephen Curry will not participate in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game due to a lingering knee injury. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr officially announced the news on Monday night, confirming the absence of the superstar guard who was slated to start in the revamped USA-vs.-World All-Star tournament.
Curry's injury, diagnosed by the Warriors as "runner's knee", has kept him off the court for the past three games. According to the National Institutes of Health, the condition is associated with pain around the kneecap and is often caused by repetitive strain or overuse. Unfortunately, that diagnosis has not improved enough to allow Curry to participate in either the All-Star festivities or the Warriors' next couple of games.
All-Star Weekend Loses a Headliner
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game, structured under a new USA-vs.-World format, was set to showcase some of the biggest names in basketball. Stephen Curry, who was selected as a starter and chosen to play alongside LeBron James and Kevin Durant, was expected to headline the USA squad. His absence now opens up a roster spot, and the league is expected to name a replacement in the coming days.
The NBA’s decision to revamp its All-Star format with a country-based structure had heightened anticipation for this year’s game. Having a legend like Curry—one of the most celebrated shooters in basketball history—was a central part of that draw.
Missed Games Ahead for Golden State
Curry’s unavailability extends beyond the All-Star festivities. Coach Kerr confirmed that the two-time MVP will also sit out the Warriors’ upcoming matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs. While the team has not provided a definitive timeline for Curry’s return, Kerr clarified that the Warriors expect him to remain out through the All-Star break at the very least.
“He’ll be out through the All-Star break,” Kerr told reporters ahead of Monday’s game.
Despite missing Curry, the Warriors managed to edge out a narrow 114-113 win over the Grizzlies on Monday, pushing their record to 29-25 and maintaining their current position as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Jimmy Butler Out for the Season After ACL Surgery
In another major setback for the Warriors, All-Star forward Jimmy Butler has officially undergone surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered on January 19. The team released a statement confirming that the procedure was successful and that Butler is expected to make a full recovery.
The injury is a massive blow to Golden State’s ambitions this season. Butler’s presence was pivotal to both ends of the court, and his absence may impact the Warriors well into next season.
Big Trade Plans Shift with Antetokounmpo Unavailable
With Butler sidelined, the Warriors were actively exploring options to bring another star into the lineup to support Curry and mount a late-season surge. The top target? Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP from the Milwaukee Bucks. However, despite discussions and speculations, Antetokounmpo stayed put in Milwaukee.
Unable to secure the Greek Freak, the Warriors pivoted and finalized a trade to acquire Kristaps Porziņģis from the Atlanta Hawks. The deal saw young forward Jonathan Kuminga heading to Atlanta in exchange. While Porziņģis brings talent and size to the roster, concerns linger due to his history of injuries.
Porziņģis Sidelined, Debut Delayed Until After Break
Porziņģis has yet to make his Warriors debut. He has been out since January 7 due to an Achilles tendon injury and illness. Coach Kerr confirmed that Porziņģis will remain sidelined through the All-Star break.
“The plan is to have him ready to go after the break,” Kerr noted on Saturday.
Golden State hopes that Porziņģis can be a reliable contributor down the stretch, offering interior scoring and rim protection as the team prepares for a playoff push.
The Bigger Picture for the Warriors
The Warriors now find themselves at a crossroads. The franchise is clearly still built around Curry’s talents, but with his ongoing health concerns and Butler’s season-ending injury, the margin for error has shrunk.
The acquisition of Porziņģis represents a gamble—a bet on talent and potential outweighing the risk of further injury. But with Curry, Butler, and now Porziņģis all sidelined simultaneously, Golden State’s depth and resilience will be tested like never before.
Kerr and the front office will need to rally the team and possibly lean on younger contributors or bench players to stabilize their playoff positioning.
Looking Ahead: All-Star Weekend and Playoff Implications
The absence of both Curry and Butler during the All-Star Weekend shifts the spotlight toward other emerging stars. Players like Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, and Alperen Şengün will carry much of the entertainment weight during the weekend festivities, including the 3-point contest, where rookie sensation Kon Knueppel is also slated to participate.
Meanwhile, Warriors fans will be watching closely after the break to see if Curry can return in form and whether Porziņģis can provide the support the team desperately needs. With postseason aspirations hanging in the balance, the next month could define the trajectory of the Warriors’ season—and potentially the future of their championship core.