Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Saturday that Stephen Curry will miss Sunday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Kerr says Steph is out tomorrow vs. Lakers. Kerr says he’s a little banged up, but Warriors aren’t worried. Warriors expect him to play Tuesday in Portland,” The Athletic’s Nick Friedell reported on X.
The Warriors will also be without Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, and Moses Moody for Sunday’s game, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. Kerr noted that the absences are part of the team’s plan to manage minutes for its veteran core as the regular season approaches.
Curry, 37, is entering his 17th NBA season and remains the centerpiece of Golden State’s championship aspirations. The two-time MVP missed the final four games of last year’s Western Conference semifinal loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a hamstring strain — an injury that effectively ended the Warriors’ playoff run.
Load Management Becoming New Reality
While Kerr emphasized that Curry’s current issue is not serious, Sunday’s rest underscores the new reality for one of the NBA’s oldest starting lineups. The Warriors went 7-5 in the 12 games Curry missed during the 2024-25 regular season, but his absence in the postseason exposed how dependent they remain on his health and shot creation.
Curry has appeared in Golden State’s first two preseason games, averaging 12.5 points in 15.5 minutes. Kerr and the training staff are expected to monitor his workload closely throughout the year.
For Curry, the maintenance approach is simply part of extending his career. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, he reflected on the adjustments that come with age.
“Acknowledging it is fun, because the more I talk about it, the more you appreciate what goes into preparing yourself,” Curry said. “It does take a little longer to get warmed up for practice or recovery from a game may take longer.”
Curry Focused on Present, Not Retirement
Despite his age and mounting wear and tear, Curry insists he has no immediate plans to walk away from the game. His focus, he says, is on maximizing the moment.
“No clue,” Curry said when asked about a retirement timeline. “I just know it’s closer than it was even yesterday. I’m trying not to put any timestamps on anything, other than that there’s a sense of urgency in the now.”
Curry has one guaranteed season left on his contract after this year, heightening the Warriors’ urgency to contend for another championship while their veteran core — Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford — remains intact.
“It’s really unique what we’ve been able to do, and for how long we’ve been able to do it,” Curry told Andrews. “We’re relying on that expertise and IQ and knowledge now to overcome Father Time. Me, Draymond, obviously being here for as long as we have, and Jimmy joining us last year — I’m excited about it.”
Balancing Health and Contention
Golden State surged after acquiring Butler last season, going 23-8 down the stretch to secure a playoff berth. The front office responded this summer by adding depth around the aging stars, aiming to balance long-term durability with championship ambitions.
“When you go toe-to-toe, top to bottom, we feel like we match up well with anybody,” Curry said. “We just want to have an opportunity to show that in the playoffs.”
Curry likened this year’s group to the Warriors’ 2022 title team — one that blended experience with new energy.
“The idea of when we won in ’22 — if you told me in training camp that this was the team that was going to win it all, I would have believed it,” Curry said. “I think there’s a little similarity there, but Jimmy adds another dynamic that we didn’t even have back then. So I’m excited to kind of see it all the way through.”
For now, that plan begins with keeping their star healthy — even if it means a few nights off in the fall and winter to ensure he’s ready for the spring and summer.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Kerr Issues Concerning Steph Curry Update Before Warriors-Lakers Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.