Golden State has long lived with the uneasy truth that everything begins and ends with Stephen Curry. So whenever the thought of a Curry absence surfaces, the next question is inevitable: who steps in? For the current Warriors, the answer is more straightforward than it has been in years. They finally have a clear, credible injury replacement on the roster.

That “obvious” stand-in is the guard who can keep the offense functional, maintain spacing, and run Steve Kerr’s system without the structure collapsing around him. Golden State has built a rotation that no longer requires reinventing the playbook the moment Curry sits. Instead, the substitute can lean on familiar actions, similar floor spots, and a green light from deep that keeps defenses honest.

The point isn’t that anyone can truly replicate Curry’s gravity or shotmaking. No one in the league does that. The significance is that the Warriors have a guard capable of preserving their identity: quick decision-making, off-ball movement, and a three-point threat that defenders must respect. That stabilizes the starting lineup, but it may be even more important for the second unit, where Curry’s absence has historically turned Golden State from contender to ordinary.

From a league-wide perspective, this matters. In a Western Conference crowded with elite backcourts and deep benches, the margin between a top-six seed and the play-in often comes down to how a team survives when its star sits or misses a stretch. The Warriors have been criticized in recent seasons for being overly dependent on Curry’s brilliance. Shoring up the backup plan is a direct response to that reality.

It also offers Kerr tactical flexibility. He can manage Curry’s minutes more aggressively, lean into staggered rotations, and experiment with lineups that feature multiple ball handlers without sacrificing structure. Golden State still goes as far as Curry takes it, but for the first time in a while, the safety net behind him looks secure rather than speculative.