Steph and LeBron to miss regular season games as Warriors give Curry a break.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors have announced that Stephen Curry will not participate in Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, resulting in no encounters between Curry and LeBron James during this regular season.
James was absent from the initial matchup on opening night due to sciatica. Curry has missed the last two games because of a lingering right knee issue, and to manage his return, the Warriors have decided to rest him for the first game of this back-to-back, excluding him from the final game against the Lakers.
The Warriors’ medical team, headed by Rick Celebrini, determined on Thursday morning that it would be preferable for Curry to play in Sacramento on Friday night instead of Thursday night at home against the Lakers. He had initially been listed as questionable.
Curry is currently in his 17th season in the NBA, while James is in his record-setting 23rd season, with no confirmation on whether he will extend it to a 24th. They have faced each other 27 times in the regular season and 28 times in the playoffs. James’ teams hold a 14-13 record in the regular season, while Curry’s teams are 17-11 in the playoffs, having won three out of five series.
Curry made his return this past Sunday after a 27-game absence and has played a total of 51 minutes over the last two games, coming off the bench to better manage his playing time. He scored a total of 43 points in those two games.
The Warriors are currently secured in the 10th seed and must win two road play-in games next week to advance to the playoffs as the eighth seed. The team aims to increase Curry’s playing time to over 30 minutes this weekend as they prepare for Wednesday night’s elimination game against either the Portland Trail Blazers or LA Clippers.
The Lakers, missing the injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, hold a record of 50-29, tied with the Houston Rockets for the fourth seed with three games remaining.
