Steph Curry's Injury Leaves NBA With All-Star Problem

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 10:14 PM ET

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry has been officially ruled out through the All-Star break, which means he won't be able to play in the All-Star Game this coming weekend.

Curry has been dealing with patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner's knee. The injury causes pain in front of the knee or around the kneecap.

The two-time NBA MVP last played for the Warriors on Jan. 30 against the Detroit Pistons. Including Monday's game against the Grizzlies, he has now missed four straight games.

Unfortunately, that absence is going to be extended. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Monday that Curry will also be out for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs, as well as the All-Star Game scheduled for Sunday.

"Steve Kerr has made it official that Steph Curry will not be available vs San Antonio and will not participate in the All-Star game. Still recovering from Runner’s Knee," reported ClutchPoints' Kenzo Fukuda, who added, "The hope is to give him the week and change of rest and have his knee right coming out of All-Star break."

For what it's worth, it's not surprising that the Warriors decided to let Curry sit out their remaining games before the break and the All-Star Game. The 37-year-old guard did say recently that his injury is still "painful" and that there's some "inflammation."

"It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise," Curry said about his injury last week, per ESPN.

"Because it's still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain. It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it’s something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up."

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks down during a game.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

NBA Facing Steph Curry Decision

With Curry sidelined, however, the NBA will now have to find his replacement for the All-Star Game.

Curry, who is averaging 27.2 points on 47.8% shooting, along with 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists, has been named as a starter from the Western Conference.

With the change in the All-Star Game format — where two USA teams and one world team are pitted against each other — Curry has been named to the USA Stripes team alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, among others.

There are a number of players who didn't make the All-Star team, such as James Harden, Derrick White, De'Aaron Fox, Austin Reaves, Alperen Sengun, Lauri Markkanen and Joel Embiid, among others.

If the NBA sticks to replacing Curry with a Western Conference player playing the guard position, Harden (since he was with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded, Fox and Reaves could be the top choices.

However, it's worth noting that when the NBA selected a replacement for the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, they added Leonard to the USA player pool and moved Karl-Anthony Towns to Team World.

The NBA can make a similar move again, so the league won't be short on options.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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