When Stephen Curry crumpled to the floor at Chase Center with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the air left the building. The 37-year-old NBA legend, in his 17th season and still the heartbeat of the Golden State Warriors, had just taken a brutal collision with Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets — a shoulder to the chest, a stumble, a grimace, and then silence. It happened on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, during a 104-100 loss that felt heavier than the scoreboard suggested. The injury? A right quadriceps contusion and strain. The prognosis? At least a week. Maybe more.
How It Happened: A Collision That Changed Everything
With 3:24 left in the fourth, Curry, ever the defender, tried to take a charge on Thompson’s drive. The call initially went against him — offensive foul. But Houston challenged. Replays showed Curry’s arm was extended, his feet set, and Thompson’s shoulder drove into his chest with force. The call flipped to a block. But the damage was done. Curry didn’t get up right away. He clutched his right thigh, winced, and walked slowly off the court, leaning on trainer Rick Celebrini. He finished with 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting, seven rebounds, five assists — but also seven turnovers, the kind of uncharacteristic mistakes that come when your body’s screaming at you to stop.
It wasn’t the first collision that night. Earlier in the quarter, Thompson elbowed him hard while driving baseline. Then, with under four minutes left, Curry bumped legs with Alperen Şengün, the Rockets’ 21-year-old center, and visibly hobbled. The pain was building. The body was saying no. And then came the final blow — the one that ended his night.
The Aftermath: Medical Uncertainty and Team Disruption
The Golden State Warriors announced Thursday that Curry would undergo an MRI and be reevaluated in one week. That means he’ll miss at least three games: Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and likely Friday’s road game in Portland. Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater the team expects him to miss roughly seven days — but that’s just the baseline. The Warriors’ medical staff doesn’t rush players back. Even if the pain fades, the rehab protocol is strict: light jogging, then cutting, then contact drills, then scrimmages. It’s not just about feeling better. It’s about being ready to play at 100% — and Curry, at 37, can’t afford to come back half-baked.
Coach Steve Kerr, who’s led the Warriors since 2014 and won four titles with Curry as his centerpiece, offered a rare moment of relief. "When I heard it was a quad, I was actually kind of relieved," Kerr said post-game. "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."
That’s the problem. The fort is already cracked. The Warriors are 10-10, riding a three-game losing streak. Without Curry, their offense turns into a series of isolation attempts and forced threes. They rank 24th in points per possession when he sits. His absence doesn’t just change rotations — it changes identity.
Who Steps Up? The Warriors’ New Reality
Brandin Podziemski, the 22-year-old guard who’s quietly become a fan favorite, summed it up: "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."
That’s the hope. But "a little bit better" won’t be enough against teams like the Thunder, who lead the league in transition points, or the Pelicans, who’ve got Zion Williamson back and hungry. The Warriors will lean on Jordan Poole, who’s been inconsistent, and Klay Thompson, who’s still finding his rhythm after returning from injury. But neither is Curry. And that’s the brutal truth.
Curry’s injury isn’t just about one player. It’s about legacy, timing, and the cruel math of aging in the NBA. He’s already missed games this month — a tweaked ankle against the Spurs on November 14, another tweak against the Magic on November 18. His body is holding up, but it’s not invincible. And the Warriors? They’re one injury away from falling out of playoff contention.
What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking
The next week will be a test — for Curry’s body, for the Warriors’ depth, and for Kerr’s coaching acumen. If Curry returns in seven days, it’ll be a win. If he misses 10-14 days? The team’s playoff hopes could slip further. The Warriors have no trade deadline leverage right now — their assets are tied up in veterans who can’t be moved. Their only hope is internal growth. And that’s a tall order without their best player.
There’s a quiet irony here. Curry, the man who changed how basketball is played with his range and rhythm, now faces the same physical toll that ended so many careers before him. He’s not just playing for wins anymore. He’s playing for longevity. And right now, the game is asking too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious is Stephen Curry’s quad injury compared to his previous ankle issues?
Quad contusions, while painful, are generally less career-threatening than ankle sprains or knee ligament damage. Curry’s previous ankle tweaks in mid-November were more concerning because they affect balance, cutting, and shooting mechanics — all critical to his game. A quad strain primarily limits explosive movement, which Curry can manage with rehab. Still, at 37, even minor muscle injuries take longer to heal, and the Warriors’ medical team will err on the side of caution.
What impact will Curry’s absence have on the Warriors’ playoff chances?
Without Curry, the Warriors’ offensive rating drops from 117.2 to 105.1, per NBA tracking data. They’re currently 10-10 and fighting for the 8th seed in the West. If they lose three straight without him — especially to teams like OKC and New Orleans — they could slip to 10-13 and fall behind the Lakers, Timberwolves, and even the Trail Blazers. Their margin for error is gone.
Who are the most likely players to step up in Curry’s absence?
Jordan Poole has shown flashes of scoring bursts but struggles with efficiency. Klay Thompson is returning from injury and needs rhythm. Rookie Brandin Podziemski is the most reliable playmaker now, averaging 8.7 assists per 36 minutes without Curry. Jonathan Kuminga could see more minutes at forward, and Otto Porter Jr. might be asked to stretch the floor more. But none can replace Curry’s gravity, passing vision, or clutch shooting.
Has Curry ever missed this many games due to injury in a single season before?
No. In his 16 prior NBA seasons, Curry has never missed more than 14 games in a single year. His most missed time came in 2019-20 (20 games) due to a broken hand, but that was a non-basketball injury. His last significant leg injury was in 2018, when a sprained MCL kept him out for 10 games. This is the first time since 2018 that a muscle injury has sidelined him for more than a week — making this moment uniquely concerning for his long-term durability.
Why is the Warriors’ medical staff taking so long to clear him?
Golden State has a reputation for being conservative with veteran players, especially Curry. They’ve seen what rushing back can do — remember his 2020 return from the broken hand, when he looked rusty and the team lost momentum. Their protocol requires full range of motion, pain-free sprinting, and full game simulation drills before clearance. Even if Curry feels fine, they won’t risk a setback that could extend his absence into weeks. This isn’t about being cautious — it’s about preserving his legacy.
Could this injury affect Curry’s chances at breaking the all-time 3-point record?
Possibly. Curry is currently 312 threes behind Ray Allen’s record. He needs to average 4.1 threes per game over the rest of the season to break it. Missing a week means he’s already behind schedule. If he misses more time or plays at reduced capacity, the record could slip further out of reach. But Curry’s career has been defined by defying odds — and if anyone can make up lost ground, it’s him.
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