In a devastating blow to the Golden State Warriors and their loyal fanbase, the latest MRI results on Stephen Curry’s nagging right knee injury have confirmed the franchise’s worst fears. What started as a seemingly minor “Runner’s Knee” issue has escalated into a prolonged absence, sidelining the two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion for an indefinite period. As Curry approaches his 38th birthday on March 14, 2026, the Warriors’ front office is shifting gears, eyeing a potential successor in the 2026 NBA Draft: Iowa Hawkeyes standout Bennett Stirtz, a sharpshooting guard whose game echoes the legendary prowess of the man he’s poised to replace.
Curry’s injury woes began in late January 2026, initially dismissed as a short-term setback. However, recent reports from ESPN’s Anthony Slater paint a grim picture. “Steph Curry will be re-evaluated again in 10 days, per source,” Slater posted on X on March 1, 2026. “Making progress on that ‘unpredictable’ right knee issue, as Curry called it, but that’ll rule him out of at least the next five Warriors games. He’s missed the last 10 games.” Sources close to the team now reveal that the latest MRI, conducted over the weekend, showed persistent inflammation and wear that could extend his absence well beyond the initial projections. While there’s no catastrophic structural damage like a torn ACL, the chronic nature of the condition—described by insiders as a “giving out” of the knee under stress—has raised alarms about Curry’s long-term durability.
Curry himself addressed the injury during a broadcast appearance at the Warriors’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, 2026. Speaking to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, he admitted, “It’s going to be a little longer. But like I said, right now with this one, it’s just about each day. Can you stack good days, and I’ve done that. So hopefully they can unleash me on the court soon and get back out there sooner than later.” Despite the optimism, the reality is stark: Curry has already missed over a month, rendering him ineligible for All-NBA honors under the league’s 65-game rule. In the 39 games he did play this season, he averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 46.8% field goal shooting and 39.1% from beyond the arc—numbers that underscore his irreplaceable value but also highlight the void his absence creates.
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The Warriors, mired in a disappointing 2025-26 campaign with a record hovering around .500, can’t afford to wait indefinitely. Enter Bennett Stirtz, the senior guard from Iowa who’s turning heads with his Curry-esque skill set. In a recent 2026 NBA Mock Draft by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the Warriors are projected to select Stirtz at No. 16 overall. Vecenie praises Stirtz’s rapid adaptation to college basketball: “In 18 Big Ten games, he’s averaging 22.9 points and 3.7 assists while drilling 52 percent of his shots from the field and 38 percent of his seven 3-point attempts per game.” Across 29 total games, Stirtz’s stats shine even brighter: 20.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals on efficient 51.1/39.3/84.6 shooting splits.
What makes Stirtz the “blueprint” for Golden State’s future? His elite basketball IQ and perimeter dominance mirror Curry’s hallmarks. Playing for a Hawkeyes team that’s 20-9 (10-8 in the Big Ten) under coach Ben McCollum—one of the slowest-paced squads in the nation—Stirtz has thrived as a score-first guard. “With his pace and skill, he’s been a dynamite scorer with elite-level basketball IQ for a team that, frankly, isn’t that talented by Big Ten standards,” Vecenie noted. “The Hawkeyes also play at one of the slowest paces in college basketball… making these numbers all the more impressive.”
Defensively, Stirtz has his question marks, much like a young Curry—active in passing lanes but not a lockdown presence. His reluctance to drive to the basket, preferring to operate from deep, is another area for growth, but the Warriors’ renowned development staff could mold him into a complete player. Imagine Stirtz learning under Curry for a season or two: a mentorship that could seamlessly transition the franchise from one era to the next.
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Warriors brass, led by GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., is reportedly “locked in” on Stirtz as the draft approaches in June 2026. With Curry’s knee giving out at the worst possible time, the team sees the Iowa superstar not just as a replacement, but as the savior who can reignite the dynasty. His 39% three-point accuracy isn’t just a stat—it’s a lifeline for a franchise staring down the end of an icon’s reign.
As Golden State navigates this brutal chapter, fans cling to hope for Curry’s return. But with the MRI results casting a long shadow, the focus is clear: Bennett Stirtz could be the key to saving the season—and the future—in San Francisco. The Warriors’ mock draft strategy is evolving, and Stirtz’s name is at the top of the board. Stay tuned for more updates as the NBA world watches this pivotal storyline unfold.