In a stunning development that’s sending shockwaves through the NBA, the Golden State Warriors have provided a major update on superstar Stephen Curry’s injury status—just as the team gears up for a crucial three-game road swing. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Curry might not even join his teammates on the trip, casting a shadow over the Dubs’ immediate future without their two-time MVP.
The news broke during Slater’s appearance on NBA Today on Tuesday, where he revealed that Curry is still sidelined from on-court activities as he recovers from a thigh contusion and muscle strain sustained last week. “You may not see him on the road trip,” Slater reported. “That’s still to be determined. I saw him in the weight room the other night. He’s wearing a leg sleeve over that thigh contusion. He’s doing the bike. He’s doing some weight stuff, but he hasn’t been on the court.”
Curry, known for his obsessive dedication to conditioning, is pushing hard to return but remains “a little bit away” from full clearance. Slater emphasized the point guard’s commitment: “He’s keeping his body in as good a condition as possible to get back as quickly as possible. But he’s still not there yet.” Adding to the intrigue, the Warriors have a four-day break after the road trip—thanks to their elimination from the NBA Cup—which could serve as prime recovery time for Curry and other veterans.
This update comes amid growing concerns about Curry’s timeline. The injury occurred during a collision-filled night last Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, where Curry endured three separate blows: a knee bang with Alperen Sengun, a knockdown from Amen Thompson, and a final limp-off in the closing seconds. He managed 14 points but committed seven turnovers, visibly in discomfort before trainer Rick Celebrini pulled him from the game. Curry headed straight to the locker room without addressing the media, leaving fans and analysts speculating.
Initially, the Warriors anticipated a one-week absence, but the outlook has darkened. Andscape’s Marc J. Spears echoed the pessimism on Monday’s NBA Today, stating flatly, “It’s not good. He’s going to get reevaluated on Thursday. He’s not doing any on-court work… just getting rehab. Definitely not good.”
Despite the gloom, there’s a silver lining: An MRI last Thursday confirmed no tear, only the contusion and strain. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed relief, telling The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, “It’s a big relief. You always worry when Steph goes down that it’s something that’s going to keep him out for a while. So the fact we’re taking it by the week and it doesn’t appear to be anything too serious is a great sign.”
Curry grimaced after colliding with Thompson under the basket with 3:24 left in the game. The play was initially called an offensive foul on Thompson but overturned to a blocking foul on Curry. He gutted it out until the final 35 seconds, but the damage was done.
Now, as the Warriors prepare to hit the road without their leader, the schedule looms large. They tip off Thursday in Philadelphia—the same day as Curry’s reevaluation—followed by Saturday in Cleveland and a back-to-back Sunday in Chicago. With no NBA Cup obligations, the team returns home for that much-needed four-day breather before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 12. Slater hinted this could be Curry’s realistic target for a comeback if all goes well.
The Warriors, already navigating a competitive Western Conference, face uncertainty without Curry’s sharpshooting and playmaking. Fans are holding their breath for Thursday’s reevaluation, hoping this bombshell doesn’t derail Golden State’s season. Stay tuned—Curry’s road to recovery just got a lot more interesting.