Getty

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Chase Center on December 25, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors have battled injury issues across the roster all year long, and the postseason is perhaps shaping up to be no different.

Superstar point guard Steph Curry left the Dubs’ opening game of the NBA play-in tournament against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, April 15 late in the first quarter and headed to the locker room.

Head coach Steve Kerr substituted Curry out of the contest, after which he draped a towel over his head and walked directly back to the locker room with approximately three minutes to play in the first period.

Amazon Prime Video play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan did not have specific information immediately on Curry’s health status, though he promised an update as soon as one became available.

The good sign is that Curry walked back of his own accord and didn’t appear to be limping or in any obvious pain. He missed 27 consecutive games with lingering pain in his knee during the regular season, going out in late January.

The 38-year-old Curry played a total of 43 games, sitting out 38 contests across the 2025-26 season. He averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per night when he did play. He earned a spot in the All-Star Game this season for the 12th time in his 17-year career.

Golden State finished the opening quarter trailing the Clippers by a score of 31-22. Wednesday night’s contest is an elimination game. The winner will travel to Arizona on Friday night to play the Phoenix Suns for the right to the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Steph Curry Returned to Warriors’ Bench Ahead of 2nd Quarter

Getty Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

Curry returned to the bench ahead of the second quarter but did not re-enter the game immediately.

Sideline reporter Allie Clifton indicated that Curry appeared comfortable and walking fine in the tunnel on his way back to the bench. Clifton also said that he smiled and reassured her that he is physically fine.

Golden State mounted its second considerable run of the night to open quarter No. 2, going on a 9-2 stretch to cut the lead to two points (33-31) with a little less than nine and a half minutes to play in the first half. The Warriors opened the contest in a 12-2 hole before tying the score at 14-14 midway through the period.

Harlan noted that Curry is on a minutes restriction after returning from his knee injury for the final handful of regular-season contests prior to the play-in tournament. He said that Curry’s limit is approximately 30 minutes currently.

Curry played eight minutes total in the first half before returning with roughly eight minutes to play in the second quarter. However, just before Curry’s reentrance to action, Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis appeared to twist his ankle and left the court and Curry returned.

Clippers Captured Season Series With Warriors in 2025-26

Golden State finished the year with a record of 37-45, claiming the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference.

The Clippers won the season series with the Warriors by a 3-1 tally, including a 115-110 victory over the Dubs in the 82nd game of the regular season.

Los Angeles was favored to win the elimination play-in game Wednesday night, which is being played in the Intuit Dome in L.A.