Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has called on his team to find a way to secure a victory without their star point guard, Stephen Curry, who is sidelined due to illness. Curry is not expected to play in the Warriors’ NBA Cup opener against the Denver Nuggets on November 2, 2025. The news follows Curry’s last appearance in a 118-107 home victory against the Phoenix Suns last Tuesday, where he played despite experiencing symptoms of illness.
Kerr confirmed Curry’s absence, stating, “He’s unlikely to play tomorrow in Denver. He’s still pretty sick. But these things happen during the season, whether it’s an injury or an illness… You have to rely on your fundamentals and your decision-making.” In his absence, the Warriors will need to rally as they prepare for the challenges presented by the Nuggets.
The Warriors faced difficulties even before Curry’s illness, as they also missed key players Jimmy Butler, who is dealing with a back issue, and Draymond Green, who has a rib injury. While Butler’s status remains uncertain, Green is listed as probable to return against Denver. According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, “Steph Curry will not play tomorrow against the Nuggets in Denver. Remains out with an illness. Symptoms worsened yesterday. Jimmy Butler is questionable to return. Draymond Green is probable.”
Kerr emphasized the importance of resilience, recalling last season when the team managed a record of 7-5 without Curry. “You have to be able to find ways to win without your best players,” he noted, encouraging his squad to build on the lessons learned from their recent defeat to the Sacramento Kings. In that game, players like Will Richard, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga stepped up with significant performances, and the coach expressed hope for a similar effort moving forward.
As the team prepares for the NBA Cup opener, the focus will be on solidifying their gameplay and capitalizing on the strengths of their remaining roster. Kerr’s leadership and the players’ determination will be critical as they aim to navigate this challenging period in the season.