Stephen Curry Exits Early vs. Rockets with Abdominal Injury

Golden State’s ideal opening stretch to the campaign met a sharp reality check on Wednesday, as Stephen Curry was forced off early in the opening quarter against Houston due to right abdominal discomfort, according to the franchise. The point guard was promptly sidelined for the remainder of the contest, with no official timeline currently provided regarding his potential recovery duration.

Missing their star for any stretch presents a major obstacle for Golden State, a squad ill-prepared to cushion the impact of a Curry injury, particularly a lengthy one. Performing at an MVP caliber, Curry has been delivering 30.1 points per contest while converting 50.3% from the field, 45.7% from deep, and 98.7% from the line. Furthermore, the Warriors headed into Wednesday’s contest in Houston riding an eight-game winning streak—their longest run of success since their 2021-22 title-winning campaign.

Given the advanced age of their core, this campaign was inevitably going to rely on staying healthy. With key figures like Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porziņģis already inactive, alongside Brandon Williams and Gary Payton II on the injury report—and wing Will Richard competing despite a torn thumb ligament—the roster possesses virtually zero leeway to absorb further physical setbacks.

Immediately after knocking down his initial three-pointer of the evening, Curry was observed clutching his midsection.

The timing of this injury could not be worse for Golden State, as they brace for their most grueling slate of games yet. Following their meeting with Houston, the team embarks on a road trip facing San Antonio, followed immediately by consecutive games against Dallas and New Orleans.

Having launched their year with an 8-3 record backed by the NBA’s second-ranked offensive unit, the team’s momentum could evaporate rapidly should Curry miss significant action. Right now, Golden State can only hope that the issue is merely a temporary tweak rather than a long-term setback.