Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr links star guard’s hamstring injury to compressed postseason timeline, reigniting concerns about player health and league priorities.
The Golden State Warriors’ 2025 postseason run came to an abrupt end in the Western Conference semifinals, leaving fans and analysts alike dissecting what went wrong for the franchise that has become synonymous with playoff success. One major factor stood out: the absence of Stephen Curry, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury at a pivotal moment in the series.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was candid in attributing the injury to what he views as an overly demanding NBA playoff schedule. “There just wasn’t enough recovery time between games,” Kerr told reporters following the team’s Game 6 loss. “It’s a lot to ask of any player, especially someone carrying such a heavy load.”
Curry’s absence not only impacted the Warriors’ championship hopes but has also reignited a broader conversation about player welfare and the structure of the NBA postseason.
A Pivotal Injury at the Worst Time
Stephen Curry, the two-time NBA MVP and cornerstone of the Warriors’ dynasty, suffered the hamstring injury during Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. At the time, the series was tied 1–1, and Curry had been averaging 28 points per game through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Medical evaluations revealed a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring, an injury that typically requires 2–4 weeks of rest. Despite round-the-clock rehabilitation efforts, Curry was ruled out for the remainder of the series. The Warriors, unable to find consistent offensive rhythm in his absence, lost the series 4–2.
“It changed the dynamics completely,” said a league analyst on ESPN. “When you remove a player of Curry’s caliber, it shifts the defensive schemes, the offensive spacing, and the overall morale of the team.”
Kerr’s Criticism of the NBA Schedule
Steve Kerr’s post-series remarks focused sharply on the NBA’s compressed playoff schedule. Unlike the regular season, where teams typically have at least one day between games, the playoffs can involve back-to-back travel days, especially when series stretch across the country.
This year’s playoff calendar was particularly tight due to the league’s scheduling of international exhibition games and the in-season tournament earlier in the year. The NBA Finals are locked into a specific window for broadcasting purposes, which compresses earlier rounds.
Kerr argued that while the intensity of playoff basketball is expected, the short recovery periods heighten the risk of injury. “You’re playing at the highest level, with the highest stakes, and you’re not getting adequate time to rest and recover. It’s a recipe for something like this,” he said.
The Warriors had just one full day off between their seven-game first-round series and the start of the semifinals. Curry played heavy minutes throughout, often logging over 40 minutes per game.
The Broader Issue of Player Health
Curry’s injury is not an isolated case. The NBA has faced increasing scrutiny over player health in recent years. High-profile injuries to stars like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo during playoff runs have intensified the spotlight on league scheduling practices.
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found a correlation between condensed game schedules and a higher incidence of soft tissue injuries among professional basketball players. The study recommended longer rest periods between high-intensity games, especially during the postseason.
In 2023, the NBA introduced load management policies aimed at reducing wear and tear on players during the regular season. However, these measures do not extend meaningfully into the playoffs, where every game counts and star players often push their limits.
Teammates Rally, But Fall Short
Despite Curry’s absence, the Warriors fought valiantly. Veteran forward Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson stepped up in leadership roles, while younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody saw increased minutes.
“There was a real belief in the locker room that we could still do it,” said a team insider. “But without Steph, it just wasn’t the same.”
The Warriors’ offense, which revolves around Curry’s movement and gravity on the floor, sputtered under the pressure of a relentless opponent. They struggled to generate clean looks from three-point range and often fell into stagnant, isolation-heavy sets.
Golden State’s exit marks the earliest they’ve been eliminated since 2021 and raises questions about the team’s long-term championship viability as their core ages.
NBA Response and Possible Reforms
As of this writing, the NBA has not formally responded to Kerr’s criticism. However, league sources have indicated that the Players Association and the NBA’s Competition Committee are expected to review scheduling policies in the offseason.
Potential reforms could include:
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Mandating at least two days off between playoff series.
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Reducing travel by adjusting seeding formats or neutral site considerations.
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Reassessing the in-season tournament’s impact on the overall calendar.
The NBA is also reportedly studying injury patterns with the help of biometric data collected via wearable technology, aiming to identify moments of elevated injury risk.
Player health advocates argue that scheduling changes would not only benefit athletes but also enhance the quality of competition. “When your stars are healthy, the product on the court improves. Fans, broadcasters, and sponsors all benefit,” said one sports health consultant who works with multiple NBA teams.
Curry’s Recovery and the Road Ahead
Curry is expected to make a full recovery during the offseason, but the incident underscores the physical toll of modern NBA basketball. At 37, Curry remains one of the league’s most electric players, but extended minutes and short turnarounds pose increasing challenges.
The Warriors now face an offseason of difficult decisions. Their core trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green has brought home four championships since 2015, but age, salary cap limitations, and health concerns may force the front office to consider changes.
Meanwhile, the conversation sparked by Kerr’s comments could lead to meaningful adjustments league-wide. As the NBA continues to expand globally and experiment with new formats, balancing entertainment with athlete welfare will remain a delicate—and crucial—task.
Final Thoughts
Stephen Curry’s injury is more than a setback for one team—it’s a cautionary tale for a league that prides itself on elite competition. The Warriors’ early exit, linked so directly to their star player’s health, has reignited vital questions about how the NBA structures its most critical moments.
With billions of dollars and countless careers affected, the debate over playoff scheduling is far from over. For the sake of its players and the integrity of its competition, the NBA may need to confront some uncomfortable truths—and soon.