NBA: MRI clean on Warriors star Stephen Curry's ailing knee – report

Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Stephen Curry had an MRI exam that came back clean on his right knee, but he has yet to return to practice due to persistent pain and swelling, ESPN reported Thursday.

Curry, who will turn 38 on March 14, was already ruled out of the Warriors' home game on Thursday night because of patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as "runner's knee."

He has not played since leaving a Jan. 30 home game against Detroit, missing five games leading into the All-Star break. The pain first appeared during an individual workout on Jan. 24, but he continued playing before ultimately being sidelined.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr had hoped Curry would return by Thursday, but Curry informed the training staff Wednesday night that his knee flared up after individual workouts and was not ready for a live scrimmage, according to ESPN.

"Just wasn't where he needed to be," Kerr said Wednesday. "It's unfortunate."

A two-time NBA MVP, Curry also missed his 12th All-Star Game last weekend. Despite sitting out 16 games this season, he is still averaging 27.2 points per game, the fifth-highest of his 17-year career.

"It's a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise," Curry told ESPN on Feb. 5. "Because it's still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain. It's something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it's something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up."

—Field Level Media/Reuters