Stephen Curry is not playing in the All-Star Game this weekend. Yes, read that again. The man who basically is the All-Star Game has been ruled out with a right knee issue. Basketball fans everywhere just sighed at the same time.
According to reports, Curry’s knee needs rest. Real rest, not “sit out one quarter and come back hot” rest. Actual rest and while that makes perfect sense for a 37-year-old superstar who has carried the team on his back, it still hurts the soul a little.
The All-Star Game without Steph is like popcorn without butter. Still edible, just not the same.
Curry also will sit out Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. The team said it is hopeful he will return to the lineup after the All-Star break Feb. 19 at home against the Boston Celtics.
“It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,” Curry told ESPN of the knee issue. “Because it’s still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain. It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it’s something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up.”
The problem flared up two weeks ago during an individual workout. Curry missed one game in Minnesota, tried to play through the pain in the next two games and then exited a home loss to the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter, limping to the locker room.
Curry joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as All-Stars who will miss Sunday’s showcase game in Los Angeles.
The league will move on, of course. It always does. There will still be dunks, deep shots and a lot of missed defense. But there will be a noticeable Steph-shaped hole on the court.
Curry missing the game also reminds everyone of one thing: he’s human, an incredible shooter, and a generational talent. But still human, knees get tired, miles add up and gravity eventually wins.
So Steph will sit this one out. Fans will complain, memes will fly and the All-Star Game will go on.
But when Curry comes back healthy and starts raining threes again, everyone will forget this weekend ever happened, because that’s how it always works with Stephen Curry.
