The Golden State Warriors are navigating a storm of injuries, roster shakeups, and playoff pressures as they approach a pivotal stretch in the 2025-26 NBA season. With the season resuming at Chase Center against the Boston Celtics, all eyes are on the Warriors’ evolving lineup and the uncertain status of several key players. The stakes are high, and the drama is palpable—just the way basketball fans like it.
Let’s start with the headline news: Stephen Curry, the heart and soul of the Warriors, remains sidelined with a knee injury. As of February 22, 2026, Curry’s return date is still up in the air, and he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks. His absence has been sorely felt—not only for his scoring prowess but for the leadership and energy he brings to the floor. The Warriors, currently 2.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers and L.A. Clippers for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, are feeling the heat as the postseason looms ever closer.
But Curry isn’t the only one missing in action. Seth Curry, the veteran sharpshooter and Stephen’s younger brother, continues to be out with a sciatic injury. He’s missed a whopping 32 straight games, and the team provided an update that he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks. The Warriors’ injury woes don’t stop there—Draymond Green was also ruled out with a back issue ahead of the recent matchup against the Denver Nuggets, leaving a significant void in the team’s defensive and playmaking schemes. Three of the Warriors’ two-way players, LJ Cryer, Malevy Leons, and Nate Williams, were away with the Santa Cruz Sea Dubs, further thinning the roster.
Now, let’s talk about Kristaps Porzingis, the 7'2" Latvian center acquired via trade earlier this month. There was anticipation for his debut in a Warriors uniform, potentially against his former team, the Celtics. Porzingis practiced and was listed as questionable after missing three games between his arrival and the All-Star break. He sounded ready to go when speaking to the media late Wednesday, but fate had other plans—Porzingis was a late scratch for the Denver game due to illness. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters, “Porzingis will see his minutes tick up a little bit” after he played just 17 minutes in his first game back in a month and a half. Kerr emphasized the importance of keeping Porzingis healthy, stating that the training staff faces a “major challenge” in managing his workload. Porzingis, who played 17 games with the Atlanta Hawks this season before the trade, averaged just under 24 minutes per game. The Warriors are hoping he can provide a consistent interior presence, especially with Jimmy Butler out for the season with a knee injury.
Speaking of Butler, his season-ending injury has been another blow to Golden State’s playoff ambitions. The team’s depth has been tested repeatedly, and each absence puts more pressure on the remaining core. Al Horford, another recent addition, is set to play his first game against the Celtics since joining the Warriors in free agency. For Horford, it’s a chance to make a statement against his former squad and help stabilize a Warriors team in flux.
On the other side, the Boston Celtics have been one of the surprise packages of the season. Despite the absence of superstar forward Jayson Tatum, who’s still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s playoffs, Boston sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 35-19 record. That’s no small feat, especially considering the Celtics have maintained the league’s second-ranked offense, trailing only the Denver Nuggets. Boston’s injury report is otherwise clean, and optimism is growing that if Tatum returns to form later this season, the Celtics could be legitimate title contenders.
The Celtics entered the All-Star break on a high, winning six of their last seven games, with the lone loss coming on the road to the New York Knicks. Their collective effort and offensive efficiency have turned heads around the league. The Warriors, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency amid their injury crisis and roster changes. Thursday’s matchup at Chase Center is shaping up to be a crucial test for both teams—a litmus test for Boston’s staying power and Golden State’s ability to weather adversity.
In the Warriors’ recent contest against the Denver Nuggets, further complications arose. Draymond Green and Porzingis were both late scratches, forcing the Warriors to dig even deeper into their bench. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, who is putting up career-high numbers with 28.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game, proved a daunting opponent. Jokic, on the hunt for his fourth MVP award, has missed 16 games this season and can only afford to miss one more to remain eligible for the honor. Jamal Murray was active for Denver, but Aaron Gordon missed his 12th straight game with a hamstring issue.
Green, who has historically matched up well against Jokic—holding an 18-10 edge in their head-to-head meetings including the playoffs—was coming off a rough outing against Boston, where he went scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting. Warriors fans might be wondering if Green can bounce back, especially with national attention on the team and the playoff race tightening. Steve Kerr and his staff are undoubtedly hoping for a spark from their defensive anchor once he returns to action.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ coaching and medical staff face tough decisions on player rotations and minutes management. Rick Celebrini, the team’s director of sports medicine and performance, has the unenviable task of balancing Porzingis’s workload with the need for immediate results. As Kerr put it, “Keeping him healthy will be a major challenge.” With the roster stretched thin, every minute counts, and every substitution could tip the balance in a tightly contested Western Conference.
Looking ahead, the Warriors’ immediate priority is to hold onto their playoff spot and get healthy at the right time. The return of Curry, Seth Curry, and Porzingis to full strength would be a massive boost. For now, though, the team must rely on its depth, veteran leadership, and the hope that reinforcements arrive before it’s too late.
As the Warriors prepare to face the Celtics at Chase Center, the storyline is clear: injuries and uncertainty may dominate the headlines, but the competitive fire still burns bright in the Bay Area. The action is ongoing, and with the playoff picture far from settled, every possession matters. Fans will be watching closely to see who steps up in the absence of the stars—and whether Golden State can keep its postseason dreams alive.