Injuries have rattled the Golden State Warriors from top to bottom. This was a team with enormously high expectations after they acquired Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline last year. Add in the established core around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and all the pieces seem to be falling into place.
However, Butler’s torn ACL put him out for the year, and their best player has been sidelined for an extended period. Now, as the stretch run of the season draws nearer, here’s how they are shaping up for a winnable game against the tanking Dallas Mavericks.
What To Expect in Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks
At 33-38, it is hard to keep a ton of expectations from the Warriors. Once again toiling away in the play-in, it remains to be seen if they can make a surprising run or even give competition to the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
But as currently constituted, it is hard to see them as much of a threat in the Western Conference. While it would be easy to blame individual players for not stepping up or showing major improvements, the injury bug has affected the roster all season long.
The loss of Butler was perhaps the biggest blow, but Curry has also been unavailable for an extended stretch. After he last played in January, a knee injury has kept him sidelined for almost two months, and a reevaluation is scheduled for Tuesday.
That ensures that the two-time MVP isn’t going to make it back on the court when Golden State faces the Mavericks. As a result, the onus is going to fall on the other veterans on the team to hold up their end of the bargain.
MORE: Draymond Green Admits He’s ‘Sick’ As Warriors’ 3rd Straight Play-In Appearance Looms
Unfortunately, the rest of the roster is dealing with a ton of injuries as well. Al Horford, their veteran free-agent signing of the summer, who has been a consistent bright spot for them, has already been declared out for the game with a calf strain.
Alongside him, the center depth is going to be in serious question, as Quinten Post has also been declared out as he suffered a right foot injury. Their other major option at the big man spot, Kristaps Porziņģis, is day-to-day with his injury.
However, it is looking probable that he will be on the court, and the same goes for De’Anthony Melton, who was dealing with a left hand contusion. Alongside their big man depth, former first-round pick Moses Moody is also questionable to play with a wrist injury.
Simply put, the roster is in shambles at the moment, and even against a despondent team like Dallas that is loitering away near the bottom of the West, it is hard to have a ton of optimism for the Warriors.
