Is Stephen Curry playing tonight vs the Minnesota Timberwolves? Latest update on the Golden State Warriors star’s injury report (January 26, 2026) | NBA News
Stephen Curry will not play tonight in Minnesota. The Golden State Warriors confirmed on January 26, 2026 that Curry has been ruled out of the game against the Timberwolves at Target Center due to right-knee inflammation.Curry was listed as questionable earlier in the day, but the team chose not to push him. The decision keeps him off the floor for the second meeting with Minnesota in three days and leaves the Warriors without their primary scorer and playmaker during a key stretch of the season.
Why Stephen Curry is out vs the Minnesota Timberwolves (January 26, 2026)
Stephen Curry has been dealing with right patellofemoral inflammation throughout January. He played through the issue on Sunday against the Timberwolves and finished with 26 points, but the discomfort has lingered.This game comes on the second night of a back-to-back, which played a major role in the decision. The Warriors have been open about managing Curry’s workload, especially given his age and the amount of mileage on his legs. Rather than risk making the knee issue worse, the team opted for rest.
Impact on the Golden State Warriors’ lineup
Stephen Curry’s absence removes the center of Golden State Warriors’ offense. Without him, ball-handling and shot creation will shift to the rest of the backcourt, with more responsibility falling on veteran guards and perimeter shooters.The situation is made tougher by Draymond Green also dealing with right knee inflammation. With two core players limited or unavailable, the Warriors will need more minutes from role players and younger wings. That raises the level of difficulty against a strong defensive opponent.
Matchup implications vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is one of the league’s more physical and structured defensive teams. Without Curry’s shooting range pulling defenders out, the Timberwolves can focus more on protecting the paint and switching aggressively on the perimeter.From a betting and analysis standpoint, Curry being ruled out has already shifted expectations for the game. For fantasy players, his absence increases shot volume for other Warriors, but efficiency is likely to drop without Curry setting the tone.
Bigger picture for the season
Stephen Curry has already missed time this season with a quad issue, and the knee inflammation adds another concern as the Warriors fight to stay in the playoff mix. Every game matters, but the organization is clearly thinking beyond January.Keeping Curry healthy for the final months of the season is the priority. Sitting him tonight may cost Golden State Warriors a chance at a road win, but it aligns with a longer view of preserving their most important player.Also read: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves injury report: Who’s playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (January 26, 2026)For fans, it means no Curry on the floor tonight in Minneapolis. For the Warriors, it is another reminder that careful management is now part of the reality as their season moves forward.
