chef curry

Basketball fans hoping that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry would bring his magic shooting touch to USA Basketball and the 2016 Summer Olympics are going to be disappointed. Curry is reportedly opting out of the Rio Games.

According to the San Jose Mercury News‘ Marcus Thompson, Curry, 28, has already informed USA Basketball that he will not play in Brazil this summer. But Curry’s decision apparently has more to do with his aching right knee than concerns over contracting the Zika virus while in Rio.

That development probably shouldn’t be a surprise, considering what Curry has had to go through during the 2016 NBA Playoffs to stay on the court. The guard missed six games between the postseason’s first and second round due to a sprained knee and an ankle injury suffered prior to that. (His elbow bothered him at times, as well.) After playing so many games during the past two seasons in pursuit of two consecutive NBA championships, Curry surely needs a summer off to recharge and get healthy.

Curry may not be the only Warriors player to skip the Rio Games, either. Thompson reports that Andre Iguodala, who won a medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics, wants to play, but has reservations because of the Zika virus. However, teammates Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes will play if asked. Other NBA stars like LeBron James and Russell Westbrook are reportedly also considering skipping the 2016 Olympics.

Winning an Olympic gold medal is an achievement Curry wants to add to his already impressive résumé, but he’s young enough that he’ll likely still be playing at a high level by the 2020 Games. (And if he wants to be on the team, USA Basketball will surely save a spot for him.)

While USA Basketball and the NBA are surely disappointed that one of its superstars and faces of the game won’t be playing in a showcase event, the Warriors are surely relieved that Curry will spend his summer resting and getting healthy for the 2016-17 campaign. Logging so many games over regular seasons and postseasons can wear out championship teams after a couple of seasons, unless steps are taken to properly recuperate and recharge.

[San Jose Mercury News]

About Ian Casselberry

Ian is a writer, editor, and podcaster. You can find his work at Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He's written for Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation.