The Golden State Warriors delivered a gut-punch to their fans on Thursday, announcing that superstar guard Stephen Curry will miss Friday’s NBA Cup clash against the Denver Nuggets due to illness. The news comes just two days after Curry sat out Wednesday’s crushing 121-116 defeat to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center, with reports indicating his symptoms have only worsened — a nightmare scenario for the defending champs.
Curry’s absence couldn’t have come at a worse time for Golden State. The 2-time MVP was instrumental in their thrilling 137-131 overtime victory over Denver just two weeks ago, a game highlighted by Aaron Gordon’s jaw-dropping 50-point performance. It was Curry who stepped up in the dying minutes, dropping 42 points to force overtime and secure the win, showing once again why he’s the heartbeat of the Warriors. Without him, replicating that magic in Denver will be a monumental challenge.
Golden State is not just missing Curry. Jimmy Butler’s availability remains uncertain as he battles persistent lower back soreness. The Warriors, already reeling from back-to-back losses last week, now face the daunting prospect of playing without two of their star players. Head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the uphill battle, stressing that the team would need to “make up for those losses over the remainder of the season,” but doing so without Curry on the floor against a hungry Nuggets squad is a tall order.
Draymond Green, however, could return after sitting out against the Kings. His absence was reportedly more about rest than any serious injury, but even his presence on the sideline can’t fully offset the loss of Curry and potentially Butler. The Warriors’ fragile momentum has been severely tested, and a loss in Denver would push them dangerously close to a .500 record, sitting at 5-4, instead of the 7-2 mark many expected after a strong 4-1 start.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Denver, currently 5-2 on the season, remains undefeated at Ball Arena against the Warriors since March 10, 2022. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, are poised to exploit any cracks in Golden State’s lineup. Without Curry orchestrating the offense, the Warriors will have to rely heavily on secondary scorers and bench depth — a scenario that spells drama, tension, and, quite possibly, heartbreak for fans watching at home.
Curry’s health has been a recurring story this season. The 6-time All-Star also missed the second half of Tuesday’s narrow victory over the Phoenix Suns, having started the game questionable before logging only 14 minutes. These intermittent absences have left Golden State scrambling for consistency and cohesion, making this Friday matchup against Denver a test of both strategy and resilience.
Despite the setbacks, Kerr remains cautiously optimistic. He has repeatedly emphasized the need for the Warriors to overcome adversity, calling on veterans like Green and Klay Thompson to step up in Curry’s absence. Yet, with the Nuggets’ relentless form at home and Golden State’s recent struggles against lower-ranked teams — including embarrassing losses to a decimated Indiana Pacers and a Giannis-less Milwaukee Bucks — the road ahead looks treacherously steep.
For Warriors fans, Friday is more than just another game. It’s a litmus test of the team’s depth, leadership, and grit — without their star guard. Will Golden State rise to the occasion, or will Curry’s absence expose vulnerabilities too great to overcome? The answer will come fast, and the fallout will be felt across the NBA.
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