Stephen Curry's absence from the Golden State Warriors' road trip to Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Chicago has been extended due to a left thigh contusion. This injury, which occurred during a home loss to the Houston Rockets last Wednesday, will force Curry to miss at least five games in total. Curry's return was initially uncertain, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr calling it a 'long shot' and allowing him to stay in the Bay Area for treatment. The team has four days off after the road trip and two practices in the lead-up, providing an opportunity for Curry to recover. The Warriors' second star, Jimmy Butler, also missed the second half of Tuesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sore left knee. Butler's availability for the opening of the trip against the Sixers is uncertain. The Warriors' depleted lineup, which also includes Seth Curry's debut, managed a surprising second-half surge against the Thunder, but ultimately fell short. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's strong performance boosted the Thunder's record to 21-1, leaving the Warriors reeling after a 2-3 homestand.
