Stephen Curry to miss Warriors' showdown against Thunder with pain in both knees

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry was ruled out of the Golden State Warriors' Western Conference showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night because of pain in both knees.

Curry underwent an MRI exam Tuesday that showed no structural damage, but he is experiencing pain around both kneecaps. Curry had huge ice bags on both knees during breaks on the bench Monday as the Warriors lost 128-120 to the Nets — the fourth game in six days for Golden State.

The 36-year-old Curry is averaging 29.7 minutes over his first 14 games in his 16th NBA season, and Wednesday marked the fourth game he has missed so far.

Coach Steve Kerr said he received a call earlier in the day from Director of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Celebrini recommending Curry rest against the Thunder. The hope is that Curry, a two-time MVP and the NBA's all-time 3-point leader, will be ready to return for the start of a quick two-game trip Saturday at Phoenix.

“He's been banged up the last week, his knees have been bothering him, so this wasn't a surprise when I talked to Rick this morning," Kerr said. “He called me and made this recommendation, and I agreed with him. Hopefully this gives Steph the time he needs the next couple of days to get ready for our road trip.”

Curry is averaging 22.4 points, 6.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds in the Warriors' 12-5 start.

Kerr wouldn't say who would start in Curry's place.

“Obviously everybody's got to step up and fill in,” Kerr said. “We'll mix and match the lineups a little bit and see what we can do. I'm excited for the opportunity for a lot of our guys.”

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) passes the ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (1) and guard Tyrese Martin (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson (45) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off Thursday morning in New York City with a steady rain that added ponchos and umbrellas to the lineup of balloons, floats and star-studded performances.

The annual holiday tradition features new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo and pasta-themed floats, performances from Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel, and more.

The lineup is a far cry from the parade’s initial incarnation a century ago, which featured floats showing scenes from Mother Goose, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Miss Muffet and the Spider, and other fairy tales.

Some things remain the same, though. As in 1924, there are plenty of marching bands and lots of clowns, followed by the grand finale of Santa Claus riding through Manhattan and ushering in the holiday season.

This year's parade features 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.

One new float spotlights the Rao’s food brand, featuring a knight and a dragon in battle made with actual pasta elements. Another celebrates the Bronx Zoo’s 125th anniversary with representations of a tiger, a giraffe, a zebra and a gorilla.

“The work that we do, the opportunity to impact millions of people and bring a bit of joy for a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning, is what motivates us every day,” said Will Coss, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade executive producer.

The parade began at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away around noon at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which serves as a stage and backdrop for performances.

The rain isn't stopping anything — the parade has only been canceled three times, from 1942 to 1944 during World War II — but organizers are monitoring wind speeds throughout the festivities to make sure it’s safe for the big balloons to fly.

Temperatures are in the upper 40s degrees F, with rain throughout the morning and winds around 10 mph (16 kph), well within the acceptable range for letting Snoopy, Bluey and their friends soar. New York City law prohibits Macy’s from flying the full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph (37 kph) or wind gusts are over 35 mph (56 kph).

The parade airs on NBC with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker and streams on the network's Peacock service. Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza will host a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.

People stand in the rain along Sixth Avenue ahead of the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A person inflates a float in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

People inflate floats in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

People watch floats being inflated in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Pedestrians cross Sixth Avenue ahead of the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)