Citing the star guard’s recent shooting difficulties, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has underlined that Stephen Curry needs time to recover. Curry has shot just 37% from the field in his previous five games, which is a significant decline from his typical output. In order to give him time to recuperate, especially from persistent back pain, the Warriors have decided to keep him out of Tuesday night’s pivotal game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

After some conjecture regarding his availability, the NBA’s 4:30 p.m. ET injury report formally confirmed Curry’s absence. Following Monday’s 114-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets, in which Kerr acknowledged that Curry was clearly “exhausted,” the decision was made. Prioritizing the veteran guard’s long-term health over immediate results, the coach had previously made hints that he would miss the upcoming game.

Curry had a poor offensive game against Denver, scoring 20 points on 6-of-21 shooting from the field, including just 4-of-14 from beyond the arc. He was not as sharp as normal despite playing 36 minutes, which suggests that weariness has been impacting his performance.

The Warriors will need to rely on other important players to step up in Curry’s absence. Jimmy Butler III led the club with 23 points in the defeat against the Nuggets, followed by Gary Payton II with 18. Kerr and the Warriors coaching staff have to strike a balance during the season between keeping Curry rested and remaining competitive in the close playoff battle.

Curry has shot 37% (32-of-86) from the field and 32% (19-of-59) from three-point range in his last five games. His current March average is 25.7 points (38% from three-point range) and 6.7 assists. However, as Kerr noted, he was outstanding in February, carrying the offense and scoring 30.7 points per game.

Stephen Curry needed some much-needed relaxation, and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recognized the toll that weeks of intense duty had put on the star guard. Curry’s performances over the last month have been nothing short of amazing, and Kerr lauded his unwavering commitment. He acknowledged, though, that Curry’s customary vigor and explosiveness on the floor were being affected by the physical and mental exhaustion.

“We need to figure out how to let him sleep,” Kerr said. “His movement indicates that he isn’t feeling his typical level of energy at the moment.” He emphasized that controlling Curry’s workload would be essential to preserving his performance throughout the season.

Warriors guard Gary Payton II, meanwhile, reiterated Kerr’s worries by emphasizing the ongoing defensive pressure Curry must contend with. Payton told the Associated Press that opponents always give the marksman fierce defensive attention, which makes it hard for him to take a break.

Payton clarified, “We try to relieve him of as much pressure as we can.” Every game, he plays 48 minutes with a defender on him. He must be feeling worn out.

Throughout the demanding NBA season, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and his coaching staff are committed to controlling Stephen Curry’s playing time while maintaining the team’s competitiveness. They understand how important it will be to preserve the health and vitality of their top player, especially as the Warriors strive for a deep postseason run. Since Curry is the mainstay of their attack, the team’s long-term performance will be greatly impacted by his ability to remain healthy.

Curry is scoring 24.3 points per game on average this season, which is the fewest points he has scored in five years. His three-point shooting accuracy has also decreased to 39%, which is less than his typical three-season performance. The physical toll of carrying the team’s offensive load is further highlighted by these statistical decreases.

Notwithstanding the difficulties, the 16-year NBA veteran keeps creating history. In a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 8, Curry passed the 25,000-point mark for the first time in his career. Days later, on March 13, he defeated the Sacramento Kings to become the first player in NBA history to reach 4,000 career three-pointers. His reputation as one of the best shooters in the game is cemented by these achievements.

The Warriors’ next game is against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. The club must find a balance between controlling Curry’s workload and preserving their postseason standing as the season approaches a pivotal point.