The NBA season resume 2026 kicks off tonight with a heavyweight bout at the Chase Center, but the headline story is who won't be suiting up. As the Golden State Warriors prepare to host the Boston Celtics in a marquee matchup, they will do so without their franchise cornerstone. Stephen Curry has been officially ruled out of tonight's contest, continuing his recovery from a persistent case of "runner's knee" (patellofemoral pain syndrome) that also sidelined him for the recent All-Star festivities. For the 8th-place Warriors, navigating this critical stretch of the NBA playoff picture 2026 without their two-time MVP is becoming a precarious balancing act.

Stephen Curry Injury Update: No Timeline for Return

The latest Stephen Curry injury update is a somber one for Dub Nation. After missing the final five games before the All-Star break, there was hope that the week-long hiatus would provide enough rest for Curry's right knee inflammation to subside. However, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Wednesday that Curry did not participate in practice and remains "nebulous" in terms of a return timeline. The medical staff is taking a cautious approach, with reports suggesting a potential follow-up MRI to ensure no structural damage.

This absence is particularly damaging given the Warriors' current standing. Sitting at 29-26 and clinging to the 8th seed in the Western Conference, Golden State is just 5-9 in games without Curry this season. With Jimmy Butler already lost for the year due to a torn ACL, the offensive burden now falls squarely on a depleted roster trying to fend off the play-in tournament.

Warriors vs Celtics Prediction: Can Golden State Compete?

Tonight's Warriors vs Celtics prediction leans heavily in favor of the visitors. Boston (35-19) enters the final stretch of the season as a well-oiled machine, sitting comfortably near the top of the Eastern Conference. Without Curry's gravity to warp the Celtics' elite perimeter defense, Golden State will struggle to generate efficient offense.

However, there is a wildcard element to tonight's game: the potential debut of Kristaps Porzingis. Acquired at the trade deadline, the 7'3" forward has been recovering from his own ailments but told reporters he is "ready to go" for tonight. While he will likely be on a minutes restriction, his floor-spacing ability could provide a much-needed release valve for the Warriors' offense. Still, expect Boston's depth and continuity to be the deciding factor in a game where the Warriors are missing roughly 30 points of nightly production.

James Harden Cleveland Cavaliers Era Begins

While the Warriors deal with absences, the Eastern Conference landscape has shifted dramatically. The James Harden Cleveland Cavaliers experiment is officially underway following the blockbuster deadline trade that sent Darius Garland to the Clippers. Harden, now on his sixth NBA team, brings a heliocentric playmaking style that the Cavs hope will elevate them into genuine title contention.

Harden is expected to make his debut this weekend, but the ripple effects of this trade are already being felt across the league. By pairing Harden's elite pick-and-roll creation with Cleveland's defensive frontcourt, the Cavs are signaling they are "all-in" for a 2026 championship run. Tonight's action across the league will be the first glimpse of how the post-deadline hierarchies are settling into place.

NBA Injury Report Tonight: Stars Sidelined Post-Break

Beyond the Bay Area, the NBA injury report tonight is extensive as teams resume play. The grueling nature of the compacted 2025-26 schedule is taking its toll across the league:

  • Joel Embiid (76ers): Remains out with knee management, missing a key matchup against the Hawks.
  • Jonathan Kuminga (Hawks): The former Warrior will miss his return to action due to a bone bruise, delaying his impact for his new team.
  • Nic Claxton (Nets): Out with an ankle sprain, leaving Brooklyn thin in the frontcourt against Cleveland.

Playoff Implications Heating Up

Every game from this point forward carries significant weight for the NBA playoff picture 2026. The Warriors are currently in a dogfight to avoid the single-elimination pressure of the 9th and 10th seeds, while teams like the Celtics are jockeying for home-court advantage throughout the postseason. With less than 30 games remaining, the margin for error has evaporated—especially for teams missing their superstars.