The Golden State Warriors have officially ruled out Stephen Curry for Friday’s road matchup against the Denver Nuggets, coach Steve Kerr confirmed Thursday.
Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s Willard and Dibs, Kerr said, “Barring some unforeseen last-second change, he’s not going to be on the team flight to Denver.”
This will mark the second consecutive game Curry will miss this season due to worsening flu-like symptoms, as the four-time NBA champion continues to recover. Curry first reported the symptoms following Tuesday’s win over the Phoenix Suns, when he described his energy level as being “on E” during the closing moments of the game.
Curry’s Health and Communication with Kerr
Kerr has remained in constant contact with Curry, emphasizing caution over rushing him back. “[Curry] said his symptoms got worse,” Kerr told reporters before Wednesday’s 121-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings. “He texted back that things got worse overnight, but he’s resting today at home and hopeful that, within the next couple of days, he’ll be alright.”
The Warriors face an additional challenge in Denver, where visiting players must adjust to an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, a factor that could affect Curry’s stamina in his current state.
Warriors Struggle Amid Injuries and Turnovers
Golden State’s recent slide has coincided with injuries to key players. Jimmy Butler III (back spasms) exited Tuesday’s game early and did not play in Wednesday’s back-to-back. Meanwhile, Draymond Green, the team’s defensive anchor, missed Wednesday’s contest with a rib injury.
The Warriors began the season 4-1, with role players Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski contributing alongside the Big 3 of Curry, Butler, and Green. However, production from the Warriors’ supporting cast has been inconsistent in recent games, compounding the team’s struggles.
Worse, Curry’s efficiency dipped as his energy was zapped by the illness.
Curry, averaging 26.8 points per game in eight starts, saw his shooting dip below 40% in his last two appearances after shooting above that mark in the previous six games.
Turnovers Highlight Issues in Loss to Kings
Kerr emphasized the impact of careless turnovers on the team’s performance.
“In the end, the story of the game was the turnovers,” Kerr said after Wednesday’s loss. “It’s 30-11 points off turnovers — a great lesson for our young guys.”
Despite standout performances from the young guns — Kuminga scored 24 points, rookie Will Richard had a career-high 30 in his first career start, and Moses Moody added 28 — the Warriors committed 18 turnovers, seven in the pivotal third quarter, which allowed the Kings to seize the lead and ultimately secure the win.
“It’s hard to win in this league,” Kerr lamented. “Every possession matters. Especially with the pace and the three-point shooting today — you turn the ball over with a careless play, it’s automatically a layup or a three at the other end, and the whole momentum shifts.”
Upcoming Schedule and Road Challenges
After facing the Nuggets in Denver, the Warriors will return to the Bay Area for a one-off game against Indiana on Sunday, before embarking on a six-game road trip starting in Oklahoma City and concluding in Miami.
Golden State will need to navigate this stretch without Curry at full strength, relying on role players and remaining Big 3 members to stabilize the team and avoid further late-game collapses.
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