**Warriors’ Steph Curry Day-to-Day with Patellofemoral Syndrome; Team Balances Health and Wins**
SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors received some relief after their star player, Steph Curry, left Friday’s 131-124 loss to the Detroit Pistons with a sore right knee but is not expected to miss significant time.
Following an MRI, Curry was diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome, commonly known as “runner’s knee,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr revealed after Saturday’s practice at Chase Center. “He’s day to day,” Kerr said, adding that the team must carefully balance chasing wins with managing Curry’s health.
“It will be something we really have to monitor, especially before the All-Star break. We’ve got to see if he can take on his usual workload or if he has to miss a game here or there,” Kerr explained.
### Injury Context and Team Impact
The timing comes at a challenging period for the Warriors, who are already struggling with perimeter scoring. Jimmy Butler was lost for the season last week with a torn ACL, and trade candidate Jonathan Kuminga remains sidelined due to a sore knee.
Late in the third quarter against the Pistons on Friday, Curry, after finishing an and-1 layup over Ausar Thompson with 4:28 left, limped slowly back to the locker room at the 4:04 mark. Postgame, he was seen walking with a noticeable limp but wore no ice or knee brace.
Despite being just over a month shy of turning 38, Curry remains the Warriors’ best player and a major figure as the trade deadline approaches on February 5. With 4.5 made three-pointers per game, he currently leads the NBA in threes and was recently voted a starter for his 12th All-Star game appearance, which will be held in Inglewood in February.
### Curry’s Health and Availability
Curry has dealt with knee issues this season, missing 11 games including Monday’s matchup in Minnesota due to inflammation in the same right knee. To remain eligible for postseason awards, he must play at least 65 games this season — meaning he can only afford to miss six more contests.
On Friday, Curry scored 23 points in 25 minutes and connected on 4 of 10 three-pointers before exiting the game.
### Team Performance Without Curry
Without their leader on the floor, Golden State managed to stay competitive against the Eastern Conference’s top team. De’Anthony Melton scored 18 points in just over 25 minutes, while Gui Santos contributed 16 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting night.
A balanced offensive effort saw eight players reach double figures in scoring. The Warriors outscored the Pistons 29-23 in the fourth quarter without Curry, led by Brandin Podziemski’s impressive stat line of 11 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists at shooting guard.
Still, lacking their superstar to command defensive attention, the Warriors couldn’t complete an improbable comeback from a 20-point second-half deficit.
### Pistons and Other Highlights
Cade Cunningham showcased his All-Star talent by recording 29 points and 11 assists, helping the Pistons improve to an Eastern Conference-best 35-12.
The Warriors fell to 27-23 and will now enjoy two extra days off before hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
The Sixers will be without Paul George, who is serving a 25-game suspension for drug use. George had recently posted standout performances, including a 32-point, nine-rebound game and a 15-point, five-assist outing.
### Draymond Green’s Technical Foul and Comments
Draymond Green scored 15 points and added seven assists against the Pistons but made headlines for earning his 10th technical foul of the season.
Green criticized official JT Orr during his postgame interview. When contacted by the Bay Area News Group on Saturday, the NBA’s league office confirmed that Green’s technical foul would not be rescinded.
Coach Kerr said he has not yet spoken to Green about either the comments or the technical foul. If Green reaches 16 technical fouls this season, he will face a mandatory one-game suspension.
### Additional Injury Updates
In other health news, the Warriors announced that Steph Curry’s younger brother, Seth Curry, will be reevaluated in two weeks as he recovers from a bout of sciatica.
Coach Kerr also noted that Jonathan Kuminga’s sore knee is improving but was unsure if Kuminga would be available to play against Philadelphia on Tuesday.
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The Warriors face a critical stretch with several key players managing injuries and suspensions, making Curry’s health all the more vital as they push toward the playoffs.
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2026/01/31/steph-curry-injury-update-knee-warriors/
