Photo: Peter Baba

Stephen Curry’s knee could require continued management as he enters the 2026-27 season, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports, adding another variable to the Golden State Warriors star’s availability.

“There’s at least some lingering concern about the knee,” Poole said. “From what I’ve been told, it can be managed, but it has to be managed and that’s a new thing for Steph because people always say he is the most conditioned guy in the League and now he has to manage a knee.”

Poole added that Curry and his trainers have developed ways to work around the issue and support his knee. Curry, meanwhile, has remained confident that he can play more than 70 games this season.

“I’m curious to see how it turns out, but Steph seemed pretty confident that he’ll be able to go out there and put out 70+ games,” Poole said.

That availability would be particularly important after Curry was limited to 43 games in 2025-26, starting 41 of them. He averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 30.9 minutes per game while shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.3% from three-point range on 11.3 attempts and 92.3% from the free-throw line.

Curry’s limited availability was a major factor in Golden State’s season. The Warriors finished 37-45, 10th in the Western Conference, going 22-19 at home and 15-26 on the road before entering the Play-In Tournament.

The potential need to manage Curry’s knee comes as Golden State continues to build around its longtime superstar. Curry has spent all 17 seasons of his NBA career with the Warriors and has appeared in 1,069 regular-season games for the franchise, averaging 24.8 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 47.1% from the field, 42.2% from three and 91.2% from the free-throw line.

His résumé includes four NBA championships, two regular-season MVP awards, a 2022 Finals MVP, 11 All-NBA selections and 12 All-Star appearances. He was again selected as an All-Star in 2025-26 despite missing significant time.

Curry has also made clear that he wants to remain with Golden State for the rest of his career. He is under contract for 2026-27 and said he is “pretty sure” he and the Warriors will reach an agreement on his next contract.

Golden State retained much of its veteran foundation during the offseason, including Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. Jimmy Butler also remains part of the veteran core, while the Warriors added first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg and veteran forward Georges Niang.

Curry, Green and Butler are all positioned to become free agents after the 2026-27 season, making Curry’s health and availability especially significant as Golden State evaluates its next phase.