Global markets, explained fast.

Advertisement

Steph Curry Limps Off in Viral Practice Video — Kerr Says 'He's Fine' and It's His Ankle, Not His Knee

2026-10-19


Stephen Curry limped straight to the locker room during the Golden State Warriors' open practice on Sunday, October 18 — and the viral video scared fans for exactly one reason: everyone feared it was his knee. Head coach Steve Kerr said afterward that Curry tweaked his right ankle, not his knee, and told reporters, "He's fine."

That single sentence is why this clip is everywhere this morning. The regular season opens in three days, the Warriors are already missing key players, and their season still runs through a 38-year-old Curry. A quiet arena, a limping superstar and a video that spread before practice had even ended — it took only seconds for one scrimmage play to become the biggest NBA story of the day.

What happened at the Warriors' open practice?

Golden State opened the doors of Chase Center on Sunday for an open practice in front of fans, one of the team's final rehearsals before the regular season. During a scrimmage, Curry brought the ball up the floor, appeared to hurt his leg, and began limping. He left the court slowly and headed straight back to the locker room, while the crowd inside the arena went quiet.

The moment was recorded by Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area and shared on X, which is how most fans first saw it. In the footage, Curry looks visibly frustrated as he limps off — the kind of body language that, three days before opening night, sends a fanbase straight to its worst-case scenario.

What did Steve Kerr say about Curry's injury?

Kerr addressed reporters after practice and downplayed the scare. He said Curry had tweaked his ankle — not his knee — and that he had spoken with Curry in the training room afterward. Curry told him he was fine, and Kerr repeated that message to the media: "He's fine."

Reporter Anthony Slater added, citing a team source, that the right ankle tweak is not considered serious. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee: Curry's availability for Wednesday's season opener has not yet been confirmed, and the team still has to assess the ankle over the next two days.

Why did fans immediately fear a knee injury?

Because they have lived this story before. Curry was limited to 43 games last season while dealing with patellofemoral pain syndrome — commonly called runner's knee — in his right knee, which cost him more than two months, including 27 consecutive games. He still averaged 26.6 points per game when healthy, but Golden State finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs.

So when early posts speculated about his knee, the reaction was instant and anxious. The clarification that this was an ankle tweak turned a panic moment into a relief story — and relief stories about Curry travel just as fast.

Key facts

  • Where and when: Chase Center, San Francisco, during the Warriors' open practice on Sunday, October 18, in front of fans.
  • What the video shows: Curry limping off the court during a scrimmage and going straight to the locker room, recorded by NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson.
  • The injury, per the team: A tweak to Curry's right ankle — not his knee, according to Steve Kerr.
  • Kerr's words: He spoke to Curry in the training room and said, "He's fine."
  • How serious is it? A team source told Anthony Slater the ankle tweak is not considered serious, but Curry's status for opening night is still undetermined.
  • What's at stake: The Warriors open the season Wednesday night in Los Angeles against Luka Doncic and the Lakers — Curry's 18th NBA season.

Why is this blowing up now?

Timing is everything. This happened in front of a crowd, on camera, 72 hours before the opener against the Lakers. Golden State is also already short-handed: Jimmy Butler is recovering from a torn ACL and is not expected back until around late January or early February, Moses Moody has a left patellar tendon issue, and Kristaps Porzingis remains away from the team with an undisclosed medical issue. Against that backdrop, even a minor Curry scare feels like a season flashing before everyone's eyes.

What's next?

The next update is the only one that really matters: whether Curry practices over the next two days and is cleared for Wednesday in Los Angeles. If he sits, Golden State's backcourt options alongside Brandin Podziemski include De'Anthony Melton, Brandon Williams and Gary Payton II. For now, the verified picture is a scare, not a setback — an ankle tweak, a coach saying his star is fine, and a fanbase exhaling all at once.

Sources

FAQ

Did Stephen Curry injure his knee at practice?

No — Steve Kerr said Curry tweaked his right ankle, not his knee, after limping off at Sunday's open practice at Chase Center.

What did Steve Kerr say about Curry?

Kerr said he spoke with Curry in the training room after practice and that Curry told him he is fine.

Is Curry's ankle injury serious?

A team source told reporter Anthony Slater the tweak is not considered serious, though Curry's availability for the opener has not been confirmed yet.

When do the Warriors play their first game?

Golden State opens the regular season on Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Advertisement