The Golden State Warriors entered Wednesday night riding an eight-game winning streak and preparing for one of the most challenging stretches of their early-season schedule. Their momentum came to an abrupt halt against the Houston Rockets, who defeated Golden State 115-108. More concerning than the final score was the early departure of superstar guard Stephen Curry.
Curry played approximately six minutes before leaving with right abdominal soreness. The Warriors were awaiting further information following the injury, with MRI results not immediately available. His status consequently becomes one of the NBA’s biggest questions heading into Friday’s meeting with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Warriors face difficult timing with Curry injury
Golden State had recovered impressively from an 0-3 start, winning eight consecutive games and reestablishing itself as a competitive Western Conference team. Curry’s continued offensive influence remains central to the Warriors’ success, particularly against opponents capable of disrupting their half-court execution. His absence against Houston immediately changed the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s game.
Stephen Curry headed to the locker room with an apparent right hip injury. https://t.co/1zVrNz00bH
— ESPN (@espn) November 12, 2026
The Rockets received 19 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists from Alperen Sengun, while Kevin Durant contributed 20 points. Houston’s combination of size and offensive versatility ultimately proved too much for Golden State. The Warriors nevertheless remained competitive despite losing their most recognizable player during the opening quarter.
Friday presents another significant challenge because San Antonio enters the game riding a 10-game winning streak. The Spurs overcame a 22-point deficit Wednesday to defeat Chicago 124-119, with Wembanyama producing 32 points and nine rebounds. Their recent success has established them among the Western Conference’s most formidable teams.
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Curry and Wembanyama headline an intriguing NBA Cup game
The Warriors and Spurs are scheduled to meet Friday in San Antonio as part of the NBA Cup group stage. The game offers an intriguing contrast between Curry’s revolutionary perimeter-oriented style and Wembanyama’s extraordinary combination of size, shooting and defensive ability. Both players have influenced how opponents construct their game plans.
Curry’s availability will naturally affect the anticipation surrounding the contest. Golden State must balance the importance of an early-season game against the long-term health of its franchise cornerstone. Until additional medical information becomes available, any definitive return timeline would be premature.
The Warriors have already demonstrated considerable resilience this season. Their next challenge may involve maintaining that competitiveness against one of the NBA’s hottest teams without the player most responsible for their sustained success.
