Stephen Curry missed the Golden State Warriors' recent victory against the Washington Wizards and is set to miss at least one more game against the Denver Nuggets. This absence extends to a staggering 25 games since his diagnosis of "runner's knee" following the game against Detroit on January 30.

Curry has begun more intense court work but still lacks clearance for a five-on-five scrimmage. The Warriors seem to be strategically delaying his return, possibly to allow the season to conclude without risking his health. Steve Kerr, the Warriors' head coach, noted, "We're not bringing him back [only] for the play-in game. He'd need to play some games. We need to give him a runway if this is going to work. And we are running out of games. That's fair to say."

With the season almost over and the playoffs looking increasingly unlikely, the Warriors may benefit from keeping Curry sidelined. Their focus should now be on securing a high lottery pick rather than salvaging a lost season.

• Key Points:
  • Curry's injury is legitimate, with the team cautious about long-term damage.
  • The Warriors are unlikely to surpass the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 8 seed without Curry.
  • The potential for a lottery pick could influence future trades and roster improvements.

As the season winds down, the Warriors recognize that pushing Curry back into action could jeopardize their chances of rebuilding for the future. With only eight games remaining, the decision to embrace tanking could be their best path forward.