Steve Kerr confirms Stephen Curry will only suit up in Play-In tournament if fully healthy

The Golden State Warriors have endured a rollercoaster season, falling short of the lofty expectations that have long accompanied the franchise. Currently sitting 10th in the Western Conference with a 34-38 record in the 2025-26 National Basketball Association season, the Warriors’ campaign has been marked by inconsistency and frustration.

A major factor behind their struggles has been the prolonged absence of superstar Stephen Curry, who has not taken the court since January 30 due to patella-femoral pain syndrome and bone bruising in his knee. Golden State’s performance starkly contrasts depending on Curry’s availability: the Warriors are 23-16 when he plays but have dropped 11-22 in his absence—a testament to just how integral he remains to the team’s success.

Steve Kerr, the team’s head coach, stressed that Curry will only return to action in the upcoming NBA play-in tournament if he is fully healthy and capable of performing at his usual elite level. Kerr emphasized the importance of balancing immediate playoff ambitions with long-term considerations for the veteran guard.

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“We are not chasing a play-in berth. We are squarely in the play-in tournament, no matter what we do. The bottom line is that if Steph is healthy, he is going to play. It’s what we are here for. And the chance to get in the playoffs is a big deal for us. A big deal for Steph, at 38. We don’t know how many more chances there are, so you go for it. But if there is any risk whatsoever in terms of how it would impact next year, then he won’t play,” Kerr said in a media session.

Steph Curry wasn’t cleared for the scrimmage in Atlanta on Sunday morning, per Warriors. Just did more court/rehab work with Rick Celebrini. Warriors saying there was no setback. He just wasn’t yet ready to advance to next stage.https://t.co/avYZJZKrnX

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 23, 2026

He further clarified, “Bottom line, if Steph is healthy, he is going to play. It’s pretty simple.”

The franchise had initially hoped Curry would return to the lineup after the NBA All-Star Game, but the superstar guard is still recovering and has yet to resume full team practices. His absence has left the Warriors relying on a younger supporting cast, with Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, and Draymond Green shouldering much of the offensive and defensive load. While these players have had standout moments, Golden State has struggled to consistently close games and maintain leads without Curry on the floor.

With the NBA play-in tournament looming, the Warriors are now faced with a delicate balancing act: giving Curry enough time to recover fully while ensuring the team is prepared to compete at a high level. A return by Curry could dramatically alter the team’s fortunes, offering a potential boost not only for their playoff positioning but also for the morale of a squad that has been tested by injuries and setbacks all season.

For Golden State, the stakes could not be higher. At 38, Curry is acutely aware that opportunities to make a deep playoff run may be limited. The coming weeks will determine whether the Warriors can harness their veteran star’s talent to navigate the play-in tournament and make a meaningful push in the postseason, or whether they will enter the playoffs relying on a mostly Curry-less rotation—a scenario that would test the team’s depth and resilience to the fullest.

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