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Steph Curry posted a thankful message to fans after learning he’d been voted into his 12th NBA All-Star Game, but the moment quickly turned into a reminder of how unpredictable this season has been for Golden State’s star.
“12th year as an All-Star! Blessed and grateful. I wouldn’t be here without you, the fans,” Curry wrote on social media.
12th year as an All-Star! Blessed and grateful. I wouldn’t be here without you, the fans 💛💙
The catch: Curry won’t actually play in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed Curry is out with right patellofemoral pain syndrome (commonly referred to as “runner’s knee”), and the NBA has already named a replacement for him.
Steph Curry’s message hits differently after the injury update
Curry’s post reads like a standard All-Star appreciation message — and it is — but it also lands as a “still with you” note to Warriors fans who haven’t seen him on the floor in a while.
According to reporting and Kerr’s comments, Curry hasn’t played since Jan. 30, and his absence has stretched into multiple missed games as the team tries to manage pain and inflammation rather than rush him back.
The timing matters because Curry wasn’t just selected; he was voted a Western Conference starter for the 2026 game.
Who replaced Curry in the All-Star Game?
With Curry unable to go, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver selected Brandon Ingram as the injury replacement, per the league’s official announcement.
That replacement mechanism is important: when a player withdraws due to injury, the commissioner fills the open spot, and it can change the look of a roster fast, especially in a one-off showcase like All-Star.
The quick “what happens next” timeline for Curry and the Warriors
Here’s the part Warriors fans actually care about: the All-Star absence doesn’t necessarily mean Curry is facing a long shutdown.
Curry has played in 39 games this season, and he’s still been productive when available, he’s scoring 27.2 points per game this year. He’s also vowed to make a playoff push when he come back fully healthy.
Golden State’s hope (and the current checkpoint) is a return after the All-Star break, with a notable date already floating out there: Feb. 19 vs. the Boston Celtics.
One more value-add to watch: the NBA’s 65-game minimum for major awards like All-NBA has become a real pressure point for stars who miss time. Curry’s missed-games total is already high enough that every additional absence tightens the margin.
Why this All-Star weekend still revolves around Curry
Even without Curry playing, his storyline is still embedded in the weekend:
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is Feb. 15 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood (Los Angeles area), meaning the league is showcasing its newest big stage, and Curry was initially part of the centerpiece lineup.
His withdrawal is one of the biggest “star power” shifts of the event, especially after being voted in as a starter.
And for Warriors fans, his brief social post doubles as a simple reminder: he’s still engaged, still appreciative, and (most importantly) still aiming to get back for the stretch run.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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