Warriors Worry as Stephen Curry Sidelined With Knee Pain

Merlin sees Stephen Curry will remain sidelined after the All-Star break with a knee issue. An MRI showed no structural damage, but he is dealing with "persistent pain and swelling" and will be re-evaluated in 10 days. The absence rules him out for postseason award eligibility since he cannot reach the 65-game minimum, and it follows earlier missed time for quad and ankle problems. Merlin notes Golden State must cobble together wins without its chief spellcaster. With averages of 27.2 points on 46.8 percent shooting and 39.1 percent from deep, Curry’s scoring and gravity are hard to replace, so Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and De'Anthony Melton will carry heavy burdens. The team looks likely to prioritize cautious recovery over a rushed return, hoping to have Curry ready when stakes are highest.