The Golden State Warriors continue to struggle with injury absences, as only two players were available on the bench in their recent game against the Washington Wizards. Despite that, the Warriors improved their play-in positioning with a 131-126 win over the Wizards in San Francisco.
Golden State Warriors Continue to Battle Injury Absences
Stephen Curry, the cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors and one of the leading figures in the NBA, has been out of action due to right patellofemoral pain syndrome and bone bruising, which have cost him 23 games. Although he is expected to miss at least one more game, he will take part in a live 5-on-5 scrimmage in the coming days to prepare for a return ahead of the play-in tournament.
As head coach, Steve Kerr said, the team will not rush the four-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist back.
Without him, the Warriors have limped their way to a play-in spot, sitting 10th in the Western Conference. In their recent game against the Washington Wizards, strong efforts from Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 28 points, and Brandin Podziemski, who recorded a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double, led the team to victory and improved their play-in positioning.
However, what remains concerning is the number of players sidelined with injuries, as only two were available on the bench on Friday. Jimmy Butler III has undergone right ACL surgery, and there are currently no updates on his status.
Moses Moody, who suffered a left patellar tendon rupture, is not expected to return until at least the middle of next season. Quinten Post is out due to right foot injury management, while De’Anthony Melton is sidelined with left knee injury management.
Seth Curry has also joined the absentees roster with a left adductor strain, having played just four games this year.
“The Warriors only have TWO total players on the bench… This team has been this hammered with injuries.”
Kerr, boasting nine NBA titles in his repertoire, saw his team bounce back from a five-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Washington Wizards. A similar instance unfolded during the Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets game, leaving the NBA world convinced that the teams “tanked” and did not play their best players down the stretch.
However, Kerr found it “strange” to view the situation that way and gave the example of a player like Jaden Hardy contributing significant points in the fourth quarter despite not being the Wizards’ best player.
“It’s definitely strange, but it almost doesn’t matter because these guys are all in the NBA. Jaden Hardy didn’t play the first 36 minutes, and he scores 14 in the fourth quarter. So technically he’s not one of their best players, but he was their best player in the fourth quarter,” he said.
The Golden State Warriors will face the Denver Nuggets next, aiming to strengthen their position in the play-in tournament.
