The Warriors’ trip to Phoenix is arriving at the worst possible time.
Golden State, already off to a shaky 0-2 start after losses to the Lakers and Grizzlies, is heading into tonight’s game against the 0-1 Suns with its injury situation snowballing. Hours before tip-off, the team’s latest report left them with at least six players out and another key veteran trending toward the sidelines.
Stephen Curry is out with knee injury management, joining Jimmy Butler (ACL recovery), Al Horford (back injury management), Brandin Podziemski (back injury management), Moses Moody (left patellar repair), and Kristaps Porzingis (POTS). Draymond Green is doubtful because of back soreness, while Charles Bassey is questionable with right patellar tendinopathy.
Phoenix, by contrast, enters with a far cleaner injury sheet. The Suns are missing only Oso Ighodaro, who is dealing with a right oblique strain, and Mark Williams, who remains sidelined after left shoulder surgery. Luke Kennard is listed as questionable with left knee tendinopathy.
The timing of Golden State’s absences is notable because Curry, Green, Horford, and Podziemski all played against Memphis yesterday. Their status tonight points to the Warriors leaning into rest on the second night of a back-to-back, even with the team still searching for its first win.
But the picture isn’t the same for every unavailable player. Butler and Moody are on longer recovery tracks and are not expected back until early January.
Their rehab is said to be moving in a good direction, especially Butler’s, but neither is close to making a season debut. Porzingis’ situation is even more serious as he continues to deal with an ongoing health crisis.
Curry’s absence fits the workload plan Golden State has set for him at age 38, after six Finals appearances and four NBA championships. The Warriors are managing the lingering effects of runner’s knee and have decided not to use him in back-to-backs as he begins his 18th NBA season.
Podziemski, meanwhile, had just returned from missing the opener with bilateral lower back soreness. He posted 18 points, two rebounds, three assists and one block while shooting 41.2% from the field against the Grizzlies, but the Warriors are still treating his recent issue with caution.
Green’s availability is less certain. He has a small chance to suit up, but that doesn’t sound likely. The 36-year-old turned in five points, five rebounds, six assists and one block on 50.0% shooting against Memphis, and even if the scoring was modest, Golden State would feel his absence on the defensive end.
For a team sitting winless and tied for last in the West, the decision to keep piling up absences may seem early. But the Warriors are clearly prioritizing health, even if it costs them regular-season games right now.
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Isaiah Stewarts Grizzlies debut was another notable subplot, even if his impact came more on the defensive end than the scoreboard. Memphis still coughed it up 25 times, but the Grizzlies also forced 19 Golden State turnovers, which helped keep them close long enough to steal the moment late. For a team trying to settle in early, the bigger question now is whether this kind of fight can carry over, especially with the lineup still taking shape after Stewarts delayed debut. [Read more 🡒]