Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry faces at least one week on the sidelines after sustaining a significant leg injury during Wednesday night's intense matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Injury Details and Recovery Timeline
The 37-year-old point guard suffered a right quadriceps contusion and strained muscle during the Warriors' 104-100 loss to the Rockets on November 26, 2025. According to team officials, Curry underwent an MRI following the game, with the Warriors announcing the diagnosis on Thursday (Friday Philippine time).
The two-time MVP will be reevaluated in one week, a timeline that suggests he'll miss at least three crucial games. However, Golden State's medical team typically follows a gradual return-to-play progression, meaning Curry could potentially be sidelined even longer than initially projected.
The Incident That Changed the Game
The injury occurred with dramatic timing during the fourth quarter. With just 3:24 remaining and the score tied at 91, Curry collided hard with Houston's Amen Thompson under the basket in a play that initially sparked controversy.
The officials first called an offensive foul on Thompson, but after the Rockets successfully challenged the call, it was overturned to a blocking foul on Curry. The veteran guard remained on the floor in visible pain before eventually limping to the locker room with only 35.2 seconds left in the game.
Curry finished the night with 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting, including 2 of 9 from three-point range, along with seven rebounds and five assists. However, he also accounted for seven of Golden State's 16 turnovers, which Houston converted into 22 critical points.
Teammates and Coach React to Curry's Absence
Warriors coach Steve Kerr immediately recognized the significance of losing his star player. "It obviously changes everything—our rotations, how we're playing, who we're playing through," Kerr admitted. He did express some relief about the nature of the injury, noting, "When I heard it was a quad, I was actually kind of relieved, better than an ankle or a knee, so hopefully he can recover quickly and be OK. But we've got to hold down the fort."
Teammate Jimmy Butler emphasized the collective responsibility now facing the team. "Nobody wants to get hurt, especially that one," Butler told reporters. "Obviously we go as far as he goes, but we want him to be right so we have the best opportunity to be great. I think we can hold the fort down for a couple of days."
Butler didn't hesitate to voice frustration about the team's inconsistency, particularly with Curry sidelined. "It's just sad how we don't follow our game plan and do the little things sometimes," he said, urging his teammates to "care more" about defensive execution.
Young guard Brandin Podziemski outlined the practical approach needed during Curry's absence: "Everybody's got to do just a little bit more, nothing too drastic. Everybody plays just a little bit better, and collectively you hope that's good enough to win."
The Warriors' depth faces additional challenges as guard Gary Payton II also sprained his left ankle earlier in Wednesday's game, testing the team's resilience during this difficult stretch of the season.
