Stephen Curry, Golden State’s star guard, exited Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets in the first quarter, clutching his right side as he headed to the locker room. He was officially ruled out for the rest of the night due to right abdominal soreness. This isn’t just a tough break in the middle of a game, it is a glaring red flag for a team that has seen its playoff hopes derailed by injuries in recent memory.
The Season’s Promising Start Hits a Wall
This latest incident comes right when the Warriors looked like they were clicking, boasting an 8-3 record to start the season. Curry, at 38 years old, has been putting up incredible numbers, averaging 30.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. He was ready to go for the 2026-27 campaign, even after suffering a right ankle sprain in practice back on October 18, less than a week before the season even began. He even missed two of the first 11 games, but that was just for rest during back-to-back matchups, not because of another injury. To see him clutching his side and walking off the court now, after such a strong start personally and for the team, just feels like a gut punch.
The Gnawing Whisper of Past Injuries
The real problem here is the pattern that’s developing. Curry had two straight seasons playing 70-plus games before last year. But then, in the 2025-26 campaign, he was limited to just 43 games because of a nagging knee issue. The Warriors, as a result, missed the playoffs, despite Curry still putting up 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game when he *did* play. It’s not just Curry, either. The source mentions Jimmy Butler playing a mere 38 games before a season-ending torn ACL in January. This kind of injury luck, or lack thereof, has plagued Golden State for a few years now.
When this Warriors roster is healthy, they absolutely have the talent to make a playoff run. We know that. But with the aging stars they have, avoiding injuries was always going to be a huge question mark for this season. This abdominal soreness for Curry, an already 38-year-old player with a recent history of missing significant time, only amplifies those concerns.
This latest setback for Curry just amplifies the whispers around Golden State. They have the talent for a playoff run when healthy, but with aging stars and this kind of injury luck, the path ahead looks anything but smooth. Every game now feels like a tightrope walk for the Warriors.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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