Stephen Curry has been a non-negotiable when it comes to the Golden State Warriors’ engine, but the two-time MVP has been sitting on the sidelines for nearly two months now. With the Warriors preparing for a pivotal Monday night showdown in Dallas, the “Baby-Faced Assassin” will once again remain just a spectator.
Stephen Curry’s Injury Status for Warriors vs. Mavericks
The Warriors will enter the contest with a 33-38 record and a mindset to snap the three-game losing skid. They are currently the 10th seed in the West and hope to enter the play-in contest to boost their playoff chances.
But without Stephen Curry’s gravity on the court, the Warriors are struggling to stay afloat among the heavy hitters in the West, making every game he misses feel like a missed opportunity to secure a play-in spot.
Stephen Curry has been listed as out for Monday night’s clash against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The 38-year-old suffered right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, often called “runner’s knee,” and a bone bruise against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30, 2026, missing his 12th NBA All-Star Game scheduled a few days later.
According to an NBA report, Stephen Curry was re-evaluated on March 21, and the results showed that he was making “good progress,” and has “intensified his individual on-court workouts” and will eventually join the team practice sessions with his teammates. Curry will be re-evaluated on Tuesday after the Warriors come back from their road games, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.com.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, Curry made it clear he hopes to return this season rather than play it safe for a better chance in 2026-27. “That’s not who we are,” said Curry. “If we have stuff to play for, we play. So, I’m working to get back.”
The game against the Mavs will be Stephen Curry’s 22nd consecutive missed game and 32nd of this season. He has played in only 39 games and averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field. He shot just 39.1% from the 3-point line, a stat that doesn’t sit well given Curry’s stature as the league’s biggest and most successful deep shooter.
How Curry’s Absence Impacts the Warriors and the NBA 65-Game Rule
In his absence, the Warriors have posted a 10-22 record, underscoring the impact Curry brings to the hardwood. As LeBron James stated last year, Curry is the “Most Dangerous When He Doesn’t Have the Ball.” Curry’s gravitational pull on the court drags in defenders and creates space for others to attack the rim.
But with more than 30 games missed this season, Stephen Curry is officially out of consideration for any NBA honors, such as All-NBA teams or the MVP award, due to the 65-game rule. The rule states that a player must play at least 65 games to be eligible for any NBA awards.
