Per Steve Kerr, Al Horford will miss his second consecutive game. He will sit out the Golden State Warriors’ home game against the Memphis Grizzlies but will be available the following night against the Los
Angeles Clippers.
It is important to note that in addition to limiting Horford’s minutes and overall playing time, the Warriors are intending to match him up against the Clippers’ larger frontline headlined by Ivica Zubac and backed up by Brook Lopez off the bench — even while the Grizzlies themselves have a threatening big man in Jaren Jackson Jr. Zubac was dominant in four regular-season matchups against the Warriors last season: 17.5 points and 15.8 rebounds, including a 61.5% clip from the field.
Simply starting Draymond Green at the five would put an enormous amount of responsibility on the 6’6” small-ball center turning 36-years old this season, something that Kerr isn’t too keen on employing as much as possible. Quinten Post may be too inexperienced and too lacking in strength and bulk to limit the Croatian big; same goes for Trayce Jackson-Davis. Horford’s experience and defensive acumen will certainly be needed against Zubac on Tuesday.
