The Golden State Warriors are back home tonight, following a bizarre three-game road trip. They’re also wrapping up a traveling back-to-back, and looking to right the ship after Monday’s disappointing loss to the injured and tanking Utah Jazz.
There’s good news for Golden State, though: Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, who did not play in Monday’s game, are returning to action as scheduled, as is Will Richard. But a whole lot of other people are out … for both the Warriors and the Chicago Bulls.
Here’s the full injury report.
Warriors
Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
This will be Curry’s 15th consecutive absence as he works his way through runner’s knee. It’s fair to wonder if he’d be playing if the Warriors were in contention. It’s even more fair to agree that the cautious approach is the best approach, given the circumstances.
Out — Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve injury management)
The younger Curry made his return to action on Monday night, and he looked fantastic in his third game with the Warriors. But given that it was his first game in three months, it’s not surprising that the Dubs aren’t letting him immediately jump into a back-to-back.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)
Still not fun to type out. We miss you, Jimmy.
Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)
Moody will miss his fourth straight game as he recovers from a wrist injury. Needless to say, the team’s spacing and defense has been hurt in his absence.
Questionable — Draymond Green (left low back injury management)
After slumping for a while, Green has been playing pretty well lately. It will be quite a hit to an already shorthanded team if he’s unable to suit up.
Questionable — De’Anthony Melton (left adductor soreness)
Melton has slid into a starting role due to Steph Curry’s absence, and he’s played very well. The Warriors desperately need his scoring.
Questionable — Quinten Post (bilateral foot soreness)
Golden State won’t be quite as reliant on Post tonight with Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis returning, so there’s no guarantee that the second-year big will even get minutes if he’s good to go.
Probable — Gary Payton II (left ankle impingement)
We’re used to GPII being a defensive spark plug off the bench, but lately he’s been one on offense, too. Thankfully, he looks good to go tonight.
Bulls
Out — Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)
Hey, Steph’s got a fellow player with runner’s knee to commiserate with!
Out — Zach Collins (right 1st toe surgery)
Collins’ second season with the Bulls didn’t go according to plan. He appeared in just 10 games before suffering a season-ending toe injury.
Out — Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery)
Speaking of seasons that haven’t gone the way Chicago envisioned, the Bulls used the No. 12 overall pick on Essengue in June, and had understandably high hopes for him. But he logged just six minutes of action before suffering a season-ending injury to his shoulder. Looking forward to seeing him on the court next year.
Out — Anfernee Simons (left ulnar styloid fracture)
After a few breakout years with the Portland Trail Blazers, Simons’ hasn’t had a great season. He took a step backwards with the Boston Celtics, and was traded to the Bulls at the deadline. He’s played six games for Chicago, and this will be his eighth consecutive absence.
Questionable — Collin Sexton (left fibular head contusion)
Chicago just seems to be hoarding players that the league was once high on but who haven’t been able to live up to their early-career expectations. Sexton’s 14.6 points per game are nearly 10 points fewer than what he posted in his third season, back in 2020-21. Like Simons, he came to the Bulls at the deadline.
Questionable — Patrick Williams (left ankle sprain)
Williams is averaging the fewest minutes and points per game in his six-year career, which has been spent entirely with Chicago. But he’s still a valuable player off the bench for the Bulls.
Probable — Jalen Smith (left calf strain)
The former No. 10 overall pick never quite lived up to lottery expectations, but he’s been very solid in his second campaign with the Bulls, averaging 10.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while making 15 starts.
Probable — Josh Giddey (right ankle sprain)
Like Jonathan Kuminga, Giddey had a bit of a contract stalemate with the Bulls this past offseason, as he was in restricted free agency. Unlike Kuminga, he ultimately got a long-term deal, securing a four-year, $100 million contract. So far he’s making it look like a good deal, as he’s averaging career-highs in points (17.6), rebounds (8.3), and assists (8.5).
Probable — Matas Buzelis (right ankle sprain)
Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft, is having a bit of a breakout sophomore campaign. Golden State would have caught a serious break if neither he nor Giddey were able to play; instead, it looks like they’ll face both of them.
Enjoy the game, Dub Nation! Warriors vs. Bulls tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Bay Area.
