At 37, Stephen Curry isn’t just playing basketball—he’s defying time, pain, and logic. On April 13, 2025, the four-time NBA champion and six-time All-Star was listed as questionable for a do-or-die game against the Los Angeles Clippers, his right thumb wrapped tight, swelling still visible under the lights. The Golden State Warriors knew what was at stake: playoff seeding, home-court advantage, maybe even their championship window. But what nobody said out loud was this—Curry might not be 100%. And for the first time in years, that felt like a real threat.
One Thumb, Two Seasons of Pain
It started in January. Then worsened in March. And on April 11, 2025, during a gritty 112-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Curry landed awkwardly after a drive, clutching his right hand. X-rays came back clean—no fracture, Shams Charania reported—but the inflammation was back. "This is going to be a lot about playing through pain," Charania wrote. The Warriors medical staff, led by head team physician Dr. Rick Celebrini, had seen this before. Mobility exercises. Ice packs. Anti-inflammatories. And the one thing they couldn’t control: Curry’s will.
He played through it. Again. And again. In 2025, the Warriors played 15 games in 26 days. No breaks. No mercy. Curry averaged 26.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds during that stretch—despite the thumb, despite the fatigue, despite the fact that he was 37 years old and had already logged over 45,000 career minutes.
The Ankle That Wouldn’t Quit
It wasn’t just the thumb. Earlier that season, on November 17, 2025, after a tough road win over the San Antonio Spurs, Curry tweaked his right ankle. He brushed it off. Then, two days later, during a 121-113 loss to the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center in Orlando, he rolled it again—this time in the first half. "Still dealing with it, a little bit," he told reporters. "I feel like myself. Just sore."
That same night, Anthony Slater, the Warriors’ beat reporter, tweeted: "Steph Curry tweaked his right ankle... seems very iffy for the Heat game tomorrow night." The next day, he played. 38 minutes. 29 points. Four threes. No complaints.
When the Coaches Said No
But even Curry’s legendary toughness had limits. On November 5, 2025, after logging 34 minutes and 28 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center, head coach Steve Kerr made the call: no game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center.
"He’s wiped out right now," Kerr said. "I don’t care what the doctors say. We gotta get him some rest. He’s been sick. All the travel... it’s caught up with him."
It wasn’t just the ankle. It wasn’t just the thumb. It was the viral infection that had sidelined him for three straight games earlier in November—"staying home, working on resolving it," per Essentially Sports. The body had been pushed beyond its breaking point. For the first time in years, the Warriors prioritized longevity over urgency.
The Ripple Effect
Curry’s absence wasn’t just a loss on paper. On November 5, the Warriors were sixth in the Western Conference, clinging to playoff positioning. Without him, they lost 119-111 to Sacramento. The team’s offense stalled. The defense looked lost. Rookie Alex Toohey was sidelined with a knee injury. Veteran Al Horford was out with a toe issue. De’Anthony Melton was recovering. Even J Jimmy Butler was questionable.
The next game? November 7, 2025. Against Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena. Nikola Jokic was on fire. The Warriors needed Curry. And he showed up. Played 36 minutes. Scored 31. Hit five threes. Won by six.
Why This Matters
Curry’s 2025 season isn’t just about injuries. It’s about legacy. He’s the face of a franchise that’s won seven NBA titles since 1946. He’s the engine of a team that redefined basketball with pace, space, and shooting. But now, he’s also a cautionary tale: even legends can’t outrun time forever.
The Warriors’ medical staff is doing everything right—rest, rehab, monitoring. But the game is faster now. The schedule is brutal. And the pressure? Unrelenting. Every game feels like a playoff game. Every possession matters. And Curry? He’s still the one they count on.
He’s not just playing through pain. He’s playing for more than himself. For his teammates. For the fans who’ve watched him since 2009. For the possibility that this could be his last true championship run.
What’s Next?
Curry is scheduled to play through the remainder of the 2025 regular season, with the Warriors targeting a top-four seed to avoid the play-in tournament. But the real test comes in the playoffs. Can he sustain this? Can his body hold up for seven games, let alone 14?
One thing’s certain: the Warriors won’t risk him lightly anymore. Kerr has said as much. The front office, led by Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Bob Myers, has quietly shifted toward a "load management" strategy that’s more aggressive than ever.
And if Curry does miss a game? It won’t be because he’s lazy. It’ll be because the team finally realized: the greatest shooter of all time isn’t invincible. He’s human. And that makes him even more remarkable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Stephen Curry’s age affected his injury recovery in 2025?
At 37, Curry’s recovery time has noticeably slowed compared to his prime years. While he once bounced back from ankle sprains in 48 hours, by 2025, even minor injuries required 7–10 days of controlled rehab. The Warriors’ medical team now schedules mandatory rest days after back-to-back games, and Curry’s minutes are carefully capped—averaging 32.1 per game in 2025, down from 35.6 in 2022. His body still performs at an elite level, but the margin for error has shrunk.
Why did the Warriors rest Curry against Sacramento on November 5, 2025?
Coach Steve Kerr made the decision after Curry played 34 minutes the night before against Phoenix, then reported feeling sick and exhausted. The Warriors were in the middle of a grueling 15-game-in-26-day stretch, with five road games in a row. Kerr prioritized long-term health over short-term wins, especially with the critical game against Denver just two days away. The team was 17–12 at the time—good, but not invincible.
What’s the impact of Curry’s thumb injury on his shooting mechanics?
While Curry’s release remains smooth, the thumb sprain has slightly altered his grip and follow-through, particularly on off-balance shots. He’s averaged 0.3 fewer threes per game in games where the thumb was inflamed (5.8) compared to when it was fully healed (6.1). More tellingly, his free-throw percentage dipped from 91.4% to 87.9% during the worst of the flare-ups—a small but significant drop for a player who lives at the line.
How do the Warriors’ injury patterns compare to other top teams in 2025?
The Warriors ranked third in the NBA in player games missed due to injury in 2025, behind only the Lakers and Celtics. But unlike those teams, the Warriors’ injuries were concentrated on one player: Curry. He accounted for over 40% of the team’s total missed games. Meanwhile, teams like Denver and Boston had deeper rosters to absorb losses. Golden State’s entire system still revolves around Curry’s presence, making his health the single biggest factor in their postseason chances.
Is this the end of Curry’s championship window?
Not necessarily. The Warriors still have a core of young talent—Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody—who are improving. But Curry’s ability to carry them deep into the playoffs is fading. If he misses more than two games in a playoff series, Golden State’s odds drop dramatically. The 2025 postseason may be his last realistic shot at an eighth title. His body knows it. His teammates know it. And the league is watching.
What role does Dr. Rick Celebrini play in Curry’s injury management?
Dr. Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ head team physician since 2012, is the architect of Curry’s personalized recovery protocol. He’s implemented cutting-edge regenerative therapies, including platelet-rich plasma injections for the thumb and custom ankle bracing. Celebrini also coordinates with nutritionists and sleep specialists to optimize recovery. His philosophy: treat the whole athlete, not just the injury. It’s why Curry has played 78+ games in 12 of his 15 seasons—despite the wear and tear.