The Golden State Warriors are at the beginning of a brutal six-game road trip, and it didn’t exactly get off to the best start, after they were decimated on Tuesday night by the defending-champion Oklahoma
City Thunder. Things don’t exactly get easier tonight, as they have to play a back-to-back against the 8-2 San Antonio Spurs and the unguardable Victor Wembanyama.
Both teams are fairly healthy, but each has a notable young player who may not play. Here’s the full injury report.
Warriors
Out — De’Anthony Melton (left ACL surgery)
Melton is accompanying the Warriors on their road trip through the south, which suggests that he’s getting closer to a return. His presence means the Warriors would rather have him working out with the team than rehabbing or practicing with Santa Cruz, so he can’t be too far away now.
Questionable — Jonathan Kuminga (bilateral knee patellar tendonitis)
Kuminga has come back to earth a little bit after his brilliant start to the year, but he’s still one of the team’s best players, and his presence is critical against a hyper-athletic young Spurs squad. If he’s able to play, he’ll likely open the game defending De’Aaron Fox, and play a crucial role on the glass against one of the league’s top rebounding teams.
Probable — Quinten Post (left Achilles tendon soreness)
Post has really been coming into his own lately, and his ability to stretch the floor could prove huge in keeping Wembanyama — one of the best shot-blockers the sport has ever seen — out of the paint.
Spurs
Out — Dylan Harper (left calf strain)
The Warriors won’t get the pleasure of seeing Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron, and the No. 2 overall pick in June’s draft behind only Cooper Flagg. Harper has been as advertised thus far, averaging 14.0 points on strong efficiency despite playing just 23.3 minutes per night. Unfortunately, his calf strain will keep him out for a few weeks, so the Warriors not only won’t face him tonight, but won’t face him in Friday’s rematch, either.
Enjoy the game, everyone. It tips off at 5:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Bay Area.
