Stephen Curry exits play-in clash, leaves Warriors on edge before sudden return

The Stephen Curry sparked concern during the Golden State Warriors’ do-or-die NBA play-in clash against the Los Angeles Clippers after briefly leaving the court before making a quick return.

In the high-stakes, single-elimination contest at the Intuit Dome, Curry headed to the locker room with 2:39 remaining in the first quarter, a towel draped over his head. The moment raised immediate alarm given the 38-year-old’s recent injury struggles, including a runner’s knee that kept him sidelined for more than two months this season.

However, the two-time MVP returned shortly after and reassured a courtside reporter, saying: “I’m good.” He was seen back on the bench speaking with teammates before re-entering the game in the second quarter.

Curry had logged just over eight minutes in the opening period, scoring three points on 1-of-5 shooting. His swift return suggested the issue was not serious, though the brief exit underlined the fragility surrounding Golden State’s playoff push.

Minutes restriction adds to tension

The scare comes as the Warriors carefully manage Curry’s workload in a must-win scenario. Head coach Steve Kerr had already confirmed that Curry, along with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, would be on restricted minutes for the clash.

Kerr stressed the decision was centred on player health, particularly with key figures returning from injury late in the season.

Curry, who has been gradually increasing his minutes since his return, logged 29 minutes in the regular season finale and was expected to cross the 30-minute mark against the Clippers while remaining below 40 minutes.

Warriors fighting to stay alive

Despite fitness concerns, Kerr named a starting five featuring Curry, Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Porzingis and Horford.

Both teams entered the play-in after inconsistent campaigns. The Warriors endured an injury-hit season marked by uneven form, while the Clippers recovered from a poor start to finish above .500.

The matchup also marked the first postseason meeting between Curry and Kawhi Leonard since the 2019 NBA Finals, adding another layer of intrigue to an already tense encounter.

With their season on the line, the Warriors must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Even with a victory, they would still need to secure another result to clinch a spot, with a potential clash against the Phoenix Suns looming next.

For now, all eyes remain on Curry, whose brief exit served as a reminder of just how fine the margins are for Golden State.