The Boston Celtics are poised to capitalize on a golden opportunity as they host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, with injury uncertainties plaguing the Warriors’ key stars. Head coach Steve Kerr’s latest updates on Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis have inadvertently handed Boston a significant edge, potentially tilting what was expected to be a high-stakes clash in the Celtics’ favor.
These developments come at a pivotal moment, as the Warriors return from the All-Star break clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference. For Boston, who sit comfortably atop the East, this could be the break they need to dominate and send a message in the playoff race.
In a press conference Tuesday night, Kerr revealed that Curry sat out practice, opting to give veterans like him, Draymond Green, and Al Horford an extra day off post-All-Star break. While Kerr remains hopeful Curry will return to practice Wednesday and suit up against Boston, the uncertainty looms large. As reported by Nick Friedell of The Athletic, this cautious approach underscores the fragility of Golden State’s lineup.
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Nick Friedell @NickFriedell · Follow Kerr says Warriors gave the vets an extra night off so Steph still isn’t back with the group yet. He is expected to be back tomorrow. Kerr remains hopeful Steph will be ready to play Thursday. 10:31 pm · 17 Feb 2026 296 Reply
Curry’s absence from the last five games due to runner’s knee already sidelined him through the All-Star festivities, including the game itself. Without their offensive maestro, the Warriors have stumbled to a 6-10 record, making Thursday’s matchup a potential mismatch if he’s not at full strength—or worse, ruled out.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/NickFriedell/status/2023964543127613576
On the Porzingis front, the big man participated in Tuesday’s practice and appeared sharp, per Kerr. However, his status for Thursday hinges on how he fares in Wednesday’s scrimmage. The Warriors are playing it safe, wary of aggravating his Achilles tendinitis, which has kept him out since January 7. Acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a deadline deal for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, Porzingis has yet to debut for Golden State after just 17 games with Atlanta.
Kerr also noted that Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton returned to practice, while Jimmy Butler remains in recovery mode post-ACL surgery, texting positively with the coach.
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell · Follow Kerr said Steph, Draymond and Horford are all expected to be back tomorrow for practice. Melton and GP2 were back at practice tonight. Kerr said he’s been texting with Jimmy and he’s in good spirits post surgery. 10:35 pm · 17 Feb 2026 581 Reply
For the Celtics, these injury clouds over Golden State couldn’t come at a better time. Boston, eyeing another deep playoff run, faces a Warriors team at 29-26, mired in the play-in tournament scramble—three games behind Phoenix for seventh and 4.5 games out of fifth. With Butler already lost for the season to a torn ACL, the Warriors’ depth is razor-thin, amplifying the impact of any absences.
Curry is the linchpin; without him, Golden State’s offense craters, unable to generate elite scoring consistently. Porzingis, if sidelined, deprives the Warriors of a much-needed two-way force in the frontcourt. His 17.1 points per game with Atlanta (25.4 per 36 minutes) and rim protection could have posed real problems for Boston’s interior defense. But lingering Achilles issues mean the Celtics might dodge that bullet, facing a diminished front line instead.
This flips the script entirely. What could have been a balanced showdown now favors Boston’s star-studded roster, allowing them to exploit mismatches and build momentum. The Celtics’ defense, already elite, can focus on containing Golden State’s supporting cast, while their offense—led by proven playoff performers—could run rampant.
The Cautious Approach That Benefits Boston
Steve Kerr is optimistic about Curry’s return after Wednesday’s practice, but the “hopeful” tone leaves room for doubt. Porzingis, meanwhile, faces a true game-time decision post-scrimmage, with the Warriors prioritizing long-term health over a rushed comeback—a prudent move that nonetheless hands Boston the upper hand.
If either star sits or plays limited minutes, the Celtics could cruise to a statement win, widening the gap in playoff positioning and psyche. Even if both play, the rust from extended absences might blunt their impact, giving Boston’s cohesive unit the advantage in this post-break tilt.
Thursday’s game at TD Garden isn’t just another regular-season matchup—it’s a potential bombshell for the playoffs. With Golden State’s health in flux, the Celtics are primed to seize control, flipping a competitive contest into a one-sided affair that could reshape narratives heading into March.