Another important chance for the Golden State Warriors’ abundance of plausible rotation players to impress Steve Kerr and the coaching staff is this Sunday’s preseason game against the Detroit Pistons. Don’t hold your breath for any team-wide, broad conclusions from the Dubs’ fourth exhibition game, though. Why? The best player for Golden State will be on the sidelines.
Less than 48 hours after Stephen Curry sustained a finger injury, the Warriors officially declared him out of Sunday’s contest. According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, Draymond Green will be on the sidelines with his fellow future Hall of Famer.
Late in the first half of Golden State’s victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday, the 36-year-old left the game unexpectedly. Shortly after, the team announced that he would not be returning to the action due to a jammed index finger on his right hand, describing his future status as day-to-day. Curry then went through his usual post-game exercise regimen in the weight room at Chase Center for the remainder of the second half.
In Golden State’s first three preseason games, Kerr started different starting lineups every time, with Curry and Green being the only constants. With an ongoing sickness keeping him out of the game since the preseason began, Andrew Wiggins is the only one of this team’s twelve healthy rotation players who hasn’t been on the court for tipoff.
With Curry out on Sunday, expect Brandin Podziemski and De’Anthony Melton in particular to earn more chances to score and create plays.