The Golden State Warriors hit the road tonight, making their way to Dallas for a showdown with the Mavericks. It’s their first game outside of California since New Year’s Eve and their first road test since January 5. But this isn’t just another regular-season matchup - both squads are dealing with some serious injury setbacks, and that’s going to shape the way this one plays out.
Let’s break down who’s in, who’s out, and what it all means.
Warriors Injury Report
Out - Jimmy Butler III (right knee ACL tear)
This one hurts - literally and figuratively.
Butler tore his ACL on Monday night and will miss the rest of the season, plus the early part of next year. The Warriors brought him in to be a two-way difference-maker, and losing him this early is a major blow.
His absence leaves a gaping hole on both ends of the floor - leadership, defense, scoring, you name it. Golden State will now have to lean even more on their depth and internal development.
Out - Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)
Curry’s been sidelined with nerve irritation in his left leg, and while there’s no exact timetable, he’s expected to be re-evaluated soon.
With Butler out, the Warriors could really use Curry’s shooting and floor-spacing. His ability to come off the bench and heat up quickly has been a key part of their second-unit offense.
Until he’s back, that scoring load is going to have to be picked up elsewhere.
Questionable - Gary Payton II (right foot soreness)
Payton is listed as questionable, but if he’s able to go, he could see a significant uptick in minutes.
With Butler out, the Warriors lose a lot of perimeter defense and athleticism - two areas where Payton thrives. He brings energy, on-ball pressure, and transition play.
If he’s healthy, don’t be surprised to see him play a bigger role moving forward.
Mavericks Injury Report
Out - Anthony Davis (left finger sprain)
Davis is sidelined with a finger injury, and while the Mavericks have had to weather his absences before, this one stings.
He’s a defensive anchor and a go-to scorer in the post. Without him, the Mavs lose rim protection and a lot of interior presence.
There’s been some chatter about Davis being linked to the Warriors in the past, but with both he and Butler now injured, any blockbuster trade talk is likely to stay just that - talk.
Out - Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery)
Irving’s still recovering from ACL surgery after his injury last March.
He hasn’t seen the court this season, and there’s still no clear timeline for his return. Without Kyrie, the Mavericks lose one of their best shot creators and clutch performers - a guy who can take over games in crunch time.
His absence continues to loom large.
Out - Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery)
It’s been a tough stretch for Lively.
After a promising rookie campaign in 2023-24, injuries have derailed his progress. He managed just 36 games last year and only seven this season before undergoing foot surgery.
He’s done for the year, and it’s a disappointing development for a young big who showed early flashes of becoming a long-term piece for Dallas.
Out - Dante Exum (knee surgery)
Exum hasn’t played a single game this season.
He suffered a knee injury before the year even began and has been rehabbing ever since. While not a headliner, Exum was expected to provide depth and backcourt versatility - especially on defense.
His absence has thinned the Mavericks’ guard rotation even further.
Doubtful - Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain)
Gafford’s been battling an ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful for tonight.
He’s missed the last three games and 15 total this season. With Davis out, Gafford’s role in the frontcourt becomes even more important - he’s a shot-blocker, rim-runner, and solid rebounder.
If he can’t go, Dallas will once again be scrambling for size and interior defense.
Available - Cissé
Cissé went undrafted in June but has stepped up when needed this season.
He’s not a household name, but he’s carved out a role by doing the dirty work - rebounding, setting screens, and protecting the paint. With Davis and Gafford both dealing with injuries, Cissé could see meaningful minutes tonight.
What to Watch For
Both teams come into this one short-handed, and that’s going to put pressure on the supporting casts. For the Warriors, it’s a chance to see how the rotation adjusts without Butler and whether Payton can step up defensively. For Dallas, the frontcourt depth is razor-thin, and they’ll need creative solutions to protect the rim and control the boards.
This might not be the star-studded clash it was shaping up to be a few months ago, but it’s still a compelling matchup between two teams trying to find their footing amid adversity. Expect some unexpected contributors to step up - and maybe even steal the show.