Seth Curry remains inactive as Warriors edge Suns 101–97 in short-handed win

The Golden State Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns 101–97 on Thursday night, Feb. 5, 2026, leaning on an undermanned rotation that has become the story of their post-deadline stretch. One name fans keep circling, though, still wasn’t available: Seth Curry was listed as inactive, leaving Golden State without another proven spacer as the team continues juggling injuries and new roster pieces.

The win mattered in the standings, but it also highlighted how thin the Warriors are at guard and on the wing on nights when key scorers sit.

Warriors vs Suns: the result and the swing

Golden State trailed late before ripping off a fourth-quarter rally to steal the game in Phoenix. The Warriors’ comeback was fueled by defense-first possessions and a fast, decisive shot diet after a choppy third quarter. Phoenix, missing key ball-handlers, struggled to generate clean offense in the closing minutes and didn’t get to the foul line enough to stabilize.

The biggest tactical edge for Golden State was their willingness to keep firing from deep early, then tighten selection late—turning a high-variance approach into a controlled finish.

Pat Spencer’s breakout night filled the gap

With the Warriors missing their usual offensive engine, Pat Spencer took on a larger role and delivered a career-high 20 points. He did much of his damage as a tempo guard: push when the floor opened, slow the game when the Suns tried to speed it up, and keep the ball moving until a clean look appeared.

Spencer’s performance has become a roster storyline of its own. The Warriors recently converted him from a two-way slot to a standard contract for the rest of the season, signaling they view his steady minutes as more than a stopgap.

Seth Curry’s status: signed, but still not available

Seth Curry signed with the Warriors earlier this season after joining the team in training camp and then being waived before the regular season, a sequence that suggested Golden State wanted his shooting on hand while managing roster flexibility.

For the Suns game, Curry was listed among Golden State’s inactive players. No specific in-game explanation was offered on the broadcast beyond the inactive designation, and there has not been a clear public timetable attached to when he will be available in the rotation.

The practical effect is simple: when Golden State is short on shot creation, Curry’s value would typically be obvious—quick-release threes, movement shooting, and lineups that stretch defenders away from the paint. With him inactive, the Warriors have leaned harder on role players to hit early shots and on Spencer to keep the offense organized.

Who didn’t play and why it mattered

Both teams entered the night missing notable names, and the absences shaped how the game looked—more scrappy than polished, and more reliant on bursts than sustained execution.

Here’s a snapshot of the availability picture and the headline production that decided it:

What this means for Golden State going forward

The Warriors are in a stretch where every game is also an audition—who can hold up defensively, who can create a decent shot late in the clock, and who can survive a playoff-style possession.

Seth Curry’s situation fits into that bigger picture. If he becomes available and is even a league-average version of himself, his shooting could help stabilize second units and open space for interior finishers. If he remains inactive or is limited, Golden State will keep leaning on improvisation: hot-hand shooting nights, matchup-based minutes, and a heavier burden on the few primary creators who are healthy.

The immediate schedule pressure also matters. Short-handed wins are valuable, but they’re hard to repeat consistently without reinforcements—either injured players returning or inactive pieces becoming usable.

What to watch next

Three signals should clarify where Seth Curry fits:

• Whether he moves from inactive listings into active game status in the next week

• Whether his minutes, if he returns, come in small specialist bursts or a real rotation role

• Whether Golden State continues converting roster spots to prioritize reliability over upside

For now, the Warriors have a win, a new rotation contributor in Spencer, and one more shooting option still stuck on the inactive line.

Sources consulted: Reuters, NBA, ESPN, Basketball-Reference