Curry Exits Early as Warriors’ Winning Streak Ends
The Golden State Warriors are facing a critical test after star guard Stephen Curry sustained an oblique abdominal tear during a 115-108 defeat against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Yahoo Sports reported that the injury occurred early in the first quarter when Curry hit a 3-pointer with approximately 7:30 remaining before immediately grabbing his right side in pain and heading to the locker room. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for Golden State, dropping their momentum after a strong recovery from an initial 0-3 start to the 2026-27 NBA season.
An MRI confirmed the oblique abdominal tear, with the franchise announcing that Curry will be re-evaluated in two weeks. However, Pro Football Network cited ESPN analyst Shams Charania reporting that the team expects their primary offensive engine to miss closer to a month.
Impact on the Rotation and Analyst Reactions
Before the injury, the 38-year-old guard had been averaging 27.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds through his first 10 appearances while shooting 50% from the field and 45.7% from beyond the arc. The setback prompted widespread frustration among league observers, including NBA analyst Bill Simmons, who lamented the timing on his podcast after recently buying into the team’s postseason potential. “I just don’t understand why we can’t have nice things,” Simmons said, adding that he had talked himself into believing in another deep playoff run led by Curry.
Curry’s absence removes not only his elite scoring output but also the floor spacing and playmaking gravity that dictate Golden State’s offensive system. With JimmyButler also sidelined due to injury, the responsibility shifts significantly to rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Selected 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, Lendeborg has emerged as a vital contributor, averaging 21.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, including a 37-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 1.
Next Steps and Roster Outlook
The Warriors must navigate a demanding stretch of the regular season without their floor general. While Lendeborg has shown the capacity to shoulder a heavy scoring load alongside an invigorated supporting cast, sustaining the offensive efficiency built during their recent eight-game surge remains a challenge. The coaching staff will need to adjust rotation patterns during Curry’s expected multi-week recovery window to maintain their standing in the Western Conference.