The Golden State Warriors are starting to find their rhythm again-and just in time. With two straight wins under their belt and a 4-1 mark on their current homestand, Golden State is showing flashes of the team fans have been waiting to see all season. Now, they’ve got three more games at Chase Center, starting with Saturday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte, for their part, is coming in with some momentum of their own. The Hornets just dropped 135 points on the Lakers in a high-octane win and are 2-1 so far on their West Coast swing. They’ve got two games left out west before heading home, and they’re not looking to slow down.
This will be the second meeting between the Warriors and Hornets this season. The last time they faced off-on New Year’s Eve-Golden State came out on top in a shootout, 132-125. Expect another fast-paced game, especially with both teams looking relatively healthy heading in.
Warriors Injury Update: Big Three Intact, Depth Still Thin
The good news for Golden State: their core is intact. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler are all available and off the injury report. That trio gives the Warriors a solid foundation on both ends of the floor, and with the team finally stringing together wins, their presence couldn’t be more important.
However, the Warriors will be missing a few rotation pieces. Seth Curry remains sidelined with left sciatic nerve irritation.
He’s played just two games this season, but when he’s been on the floor, he’s been efficient-averaging 7 points per game and hitting 50% of his threes, albeit on limited attempts. Seth hasn’t played since December 4 and is still working his way back.
Interestingly, he’ll be watching this one from the bench against a team he knows well. He spent two seasons in Charlotte, appearing in 76 games and shooting a strong 43% from deep.
Also out is Gui Santos, who’s dealing with a left ankle sprain. Santos logged just five minutes in the Warriors’ last game against the Knicks before exiting with the injury. He’s been a low-minute contributor this season, averaging 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game.
Rookies Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer are both unavailable as they continue their development in the G League.
Hornets Injury Report: Diabate Questionable, Plumlee Still Out
Charlotte has a few question marks of their own. Moussa Diabate is listed as questionable with right hamstring soreness.
He was in the same spot ahead of the Lakers game and ended up suiting up-and playing well. Diabate gave the Hornets 30 minutes of solid work, finishing with eight points and six rebounds.
On the season, he’s been a steady frontcourt presence, averaging 8.2 points, 8.4 boards, and a block per game across 38 appearances, including 12 starts.
Veteran big man Mason Plumlee remains out with a groin injury that’s kept him sidelined since December 22. He’s in the midst of a six-week recovery timeline and won’t be available for this one.
Liam McNeeley, Antonio Reeves, and KJ Simpson are all out on G-League assignment, leaving the Hornets a little thin at the back end of the roster.
What to Watch
With both teams mostly healthy at the top of their rotations, Saturday’s matchup should give us a good look at where each squad stands mid-season. Golden State is trying to build momentum and reassert itself in the Western Conference mix, while Charlotte is showing signs of life on the road, particularly on the offensive end.
The Warriors’ big three will be the focal point, but don’t underestimate Charlotte’s ability to put points on the board. If Diabate plays, his size and rebounding could be a factor against a Warriors front line that’s still working on consistency.
Golden State has the edge in star power and home-court advantage. But if the Hornets can replicate their offensive execution from the Lakers game, this one could turn into another high-scoring affair.