The stakes haven’t changed for the Golden State Warriors. Every game still matters. Every loss still hurts. And with the postseason race tightening, the biggest question remains unchanged heading into Boston.

Is Stephen Curry finally coming back? The Warriors, who have gone 8-13 without their superstar, travel to face the Boston Celtics on March 18. However, the answer fans were hoping for is not the one they are getting.

Is Steph Curry Playing Tonight Against the Celtics?

No. Curry will not play against Boston. The Warriors have taken a cautious approach with their franchise cornerstone, prioritizing long-term health over a rushed return. While there has been visible progress, the team is not willing to risk a setback at this stage of the season.

“He (Steph) is trending in the right direction,” head coach Steve Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “He’s ramped up his workouts. The reason he’s on the trip is that he now needs extra bodies, people to play with, and we’ll be doing that over the course of this road trip.”

That update matters. It confirms forward movement in his recovery. At the same time, it makes one thing clear. He is still not ready for game action.

Curry’s absence continues to reshape everything for Golden State. The 38-year-old is averaging 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, serving as the engine of the offense. Without him, scoring creation, spacing, and late-game execution all take a hit.

Meanwhile, the context only adds more urgency. The Warriors remain locked in a Play-In battle, which means every missed game from Curry increases the pressure on the rest of the roster.

Warriors Injury Report

The Warriors have an extensive list of absentees. Most notable is guard Jimmy Buttler, who ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament and has since had surgery.

Let’s take a look at the Warriors’ complete injury report:

• Jimmy Butler III — Out — Right ACL; Surgery
• LJ Cryer — Questionable — Left Hamstring; Injury Management
• Seth Curry — Out — Left Adductor; Strain
• Stephen Curry — Out — Right Patellofemoral; Pain Syndrome
• Al Horford — Out — Right Soleus; Strain
• Moses Moody — Out — Right Wrist; Sprain
• Gary Payton II — Probable — Left Tibial; Contusion
• Quinten Post — Questionable — Right Foot; Injury Management

Because of that, the Warriors are not just missing their best player. They are operating with a heavily compromised rotation.

Celtics Injury Report

Boston enters the game in a much stronger position from a health standpoint.

• John Tonje — Out — G League — Two-Way
• Nikola Vucevic — Out — Right Ring Finger; Fracture

Aside from those absences, the Celtics have most of their core available, which only widens the gap heading into this matchup.

Predicted Starting Lineups for Warriors vs Celtics

Keeping in mind the injury update of both teams, here’s the predicted starting five for both teams:

That contrast tells the story. Boston’s lineup features established stars and continuity. Golden State, on the other hand, is leaning on depth and development pieces to stay competitive.

The bigger picture remains unchanged. Golden State needs Curry back. Not just for scoring, but for identity. Until that happens, every game becomes a test of survival rather than a push forward.

For now, the timeline stays uncertain. The progress is real. The return is getting closer. But not tonight.