The Golden State Warriors are about to enter an easy stretch in their schedule … but that starts tomorrow, not today. Before that happens, they must first face the best team in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder. And they must do it without their three best players, as Steve Kerr made a business decision to load manage Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler III.
Oklahoma City is also missing some players, but certainly no one as notable as the Warriors trio. Here’s the full injury report for
Friday night’s game.
Warriors
Out — Steph Curry (left ankle sprain)
Curry did hurt his ankle a few days ago, though if the Warriors didn’t have another game on Saturday, I’m guessing we’d see Curry on the court tonight.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (illness)
Probably the same with Butler. Like Curry, he’s actually dealing with an ailment … but we can also call it what it is: load management.
Out — Draymond Green (rest)
Hey, there’s a more honest assessment! The Dubs aren’t trying to hide it with Green. He’s just getting some extra rest.
Out — De’Anthony Melton (left knee injury management)
After only recently returning from ACL surgery, I’d guess that Melton will be resting plenty of times throughout the year to manage his injury.
Out — Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)
Neither Curry brother will be in a jersey tonight at the Chase Center.
Questionable — Jonathan Kuminga (low back soreness)
I’d be shocked if Kuminga didn’t play, despite the back pain. Kerr has already stated that Kuminga will get minutes with so many people out, and since minutes have been very hard for him to come by — he’s been a DNP in nine of the last 10 games, and played sparingly in the one game he got into. So expect to see him out there if he can at all play through the pain.
Probable — Al Horford (right sciatic nerve)
Horford is finally (mostly) healthy again, and he’s been finding his groove lately.
Available — Trayce Jackson-Davis (right knee patellar tendonitis)
Speaking of centers finding their groove lately, TJD has been fantastic recently. Thankfully, despite some discomfort, he’s good to go.
Thunder
Out — Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain)
Hartenstein has really come into his own since joining OKC last season. He’s a high-quality starting center, though he’s struggled with injuries — this will be his 11th absence of the year, after missing 25 games last season.
Out — Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis)
For those who struggle keeping them apart, this is the less-heralded of the two Thunder player by this name. While Jaylin Williams (a fine player in his own right) is out, Jalen Williams — the reigning All-Star and a top-20 player in the NBA — is healthy and playing.
Out — Nikola Topić (surgical recovery)
Our thoughts are with Topić, a lottery pick in 2024 who has yet to make his NBA debut. He missed all of last year with an ACL tear, and is out indefinitely due to testicular cancer and chemotherapy. Hoping for a smooth recovery for the young hooper.
Out — Ousmane Dieng (right calf strain)
Dieng has only played in 17 games in his fourth season, but the former lottery pick has played well when he’s been on the court.
Out — Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery)
Sorber, the 15th overall pick in June’s draft, will miss the entire season as he recovers from an ACL that he tore during the offseason. The Thunder, as they gear up for a hopeful dynasty, will be getting quite an infusion of young talent when Sorber and Topić are able to take the court.
Enjoy the action, Dub Nation! Tip off is at 7:00 p.m. PT on Prime.
