After getting a full weekend to rest and recover following a taxing, up-and-down end to the first week of the season, the Golden State Warriors are back in action tonight. They play their fourth game of the year
— and their second at Chase Center — when they host their old foe the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00 p.m. PT tonight.
It feels like a star player is always missing when these two link up, but barring any last-minute changes, that won’t be the case today. Neither team is at full strength, but the star players — Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler III for the Dubs, and Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the Grizz — are all set to play.
Here’s the full injury report.
Warriors
Out — Al Horford (left toe injury management)
Horford will sit for the second straight game, but this is fully planned. The Dubs don’t intend to play him on both ends of back-to-backs, as has been his status for a few seasons now. But we do have some insight into how the Warriors will handle that: it’s going to be based on matchup. Horford played on Thursday against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets, while getting the day off against Donovan Clingan and the Portland Trail Blazers. Tonight he’ll sit on the sidelines for Jock Landale and the Grizzlies, and tomorrow he’ll suit up to help guard Ivica Zubac and the LA Clippers.
Out — De’Anthony Melton (left ACL surgery)
Melton is still a little ways away from returning, and we’ll have to wait for the next update from the team to see where he is. He’s still on the standard timetable for return as he nears the 12-month mark of his ACL tear, so nothing to be concerned about.
Out — Alex Toohey (left knee injury recovery)
Like Melton, Toohey has been inactive for every game of the season thus far. Between injury and the fact that he’s likely slated for Santa Cruz whenever he is healthy, we’ll probably have to wait quite a while for Toohey’s NBA debut.
Grizzlies
Out — Brandon Clarke (right knee surgery recovery)
Clarke continues to have a difficult time staying on the court. He’s still recovering from offseason knee surgery, and should be re-evaluated sometime next month.
Out — Ty Jerome (right calf strain)
The Warriors won’t get to see their former teammate in action tonight, as Jerome has yet to suit up for his new team. He figures to be a critical backup to Morant after a breakout year with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.
Out — Zach Edey (left ankle surgery recovery)
The undersized Warriors don’t have to worry about Memphis’ largest player. The 7’4 center, who finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting a year ago, has yet to play this season, though he’s nearing a return.
Out — Scotty Pippen Jr. (left great toe surgery recovery)
It feels like the Grizzlies are always full of injuries, and that’s certainly the case for this matchup. Pippen has turned into a quality NBA player, but he’s out for the next few months.
Out — Vince Williams Jr. (right ankle impingement)
I promise, this is the end of the list! Like the others listed here, Williams, a fourth-year guard, has yet to play this season.
Enjoy the action, Dub Nation!
