PHOENIX — Stephen Curry’s knee injury, which kept him off the court for a significant part of this season, isn’t likely to end his career anytime soon. In fact, that’s not even a concern for him at this point.
After the Warriors were eliminated in the play-in game against the Suns, Curry, 38, was asked if he still envisioned playing for several more seasons. His response was clear: “More than one, for sure. Is that more than one?”
This might seem like a straightforward question, especially given that Curry’s recent stint was riddled with injuries. He mentioned the most challenging issue being “runner’s knee,” which he noted would necessitate adjusting to a “new normal” to keep playing.
After missing two months, he logged 36 minutes in each of the play-in games. Although he returned strong, scoring 35 points in his comeback against the Clippers, he expressed disappointment in his final game, managing only 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting against the Suns.
“The moments we had in Los Angeles, those ups and downs tonight—that’s what makes basketball exciting,” Curry reflected. “Looking back at the last few days and the whole play-in situation, I’m proud of how we finished. We could have easily gone into the summer without direction after a rough start.” He mentioned that the last few days felt rewarding.
Overall, Curry played just 43 games this season, the fewest of his career. During the 27 games he missed in January and February due to knee issues, the Warriors only managed a 9-18 record.
In addition to Curry’s challenges, the Warriors also faced injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. They parted ways with Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield while bringing in Kristaps Porzingis.
“It’s been a roller coaster, to put it mildly,” Curry said. “You could feel the team’s momentum slip. Still, there’s this underlying belief with the Warriors—championships are always the goal. We’ve had to reassess, like, can we salvage something from this year? Gaining playoff experience felt like the right focus, and that motivated me to push to return.”
Curry doesn’t believe the injury will pose a long-term issue, but he recognizes the need for careful management. He emphasized that the runner’s knee stems from overuse, noting he was one of the most active players in terms of mileage on the court.
“Steph is still learning to navigate this. Staying healthy and managing games is tough,” Coach Steve Kerr commented, noting that Curry will turn 39 next season. “This is part of the process.” Curry ruled out surgery for the offseason, stating that the best course of action is simply rest. He jokingly added, “They say golf is good for your knees.”
“I need to keep the big picture in mind and reflect on how this year played out. My preparation before and after the injury was noticeably different,” Curry acknowledged. “It’s a bit of a back-and-forth. After some rest, I should be ready for training camp, and I’m hopeful to manage it as the new season kicks off.”
Regarding his future, Curry is under contract for next season, along with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. The Warriors are also prioritizing Coach Kerr’s contract renewal.
As for whether Curry would consider an extension, he expressed interest: “Indeed. But those discussions haven’t happened yet. It looks like it’ll be a busy summer for the Warriors.”
