Warriors suffer injuries to four additional players as downturn persists
SAN FRANCISCO — The struggling Golden State Warriors suffered the loss of four additional players due to injuries on Friday night and also experienced their fourth consecutive defeat, falling 127-117 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, further descending in the Western Conference standings.
Veteran forward Draymond Green was ruled out 30 minutes prior to the game due to lower back discomfort. Veteran center Al Horford exited after just five minutes with tightness in his right calf. Veteran guard Seth Curry left the game limping to the locker room in the second quarter due to soreness in his left adductor. Additionally, second-year center Quinten Post sustained a sprain to his left ankle.
“We’re going through it,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated. “We’re about as beaten up as any team I can ever remember.”
The Warriors have been without their two top players for over a month. Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in early January and is out for the remainder of the season. Stephen Curry has been unavailable since January 30 due to a persistent issue with his right knee.
Stephen Curry missed his 16th consecutive game on Friday night, and during this period, the Warriors have recorded a 5-11 record, bringing their overall record to 32-34, placing them two games behind the LA Clippers (winners of four straight) for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Green’s back problem does not seem to be serious. He was seen in the locker room after Friday’s game and appeared to be moving well. There was no official update on the severity of Post’s ankle injury or Seth Curry’s adductor issue. Kerr did refer to Horford’s calf injury as a “strain” and suggested that he would be sidelined for some time.
“With a calf, we’re not going to rush him back,” Kerr remarked.
This recent surge of injuries comes at a challenging time for the Warriors. They are set to embark on a six-game road trip starting Sunday night in New York against the 43-25 Knicks, with additional stops in Boston, Detroit, and Atlanta, putting them at significant risk of dropping below the Portland Trail Blazers (32-35) into the 10th seed.
Recently acquired center Kristaps Porzingis provided a slight positive note for the Warriors. In his fourth game with the team, he increased his playing time to 22 minutes and scored 20 points, stating afterward that he is making strides with his recent health concerns.
However, the Warriors were greatly outmatched without half of their rotation, falling behind by 25 points and never getting closer than nine during a brief second-half rally.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was listed as questionable earlier in the day due to right knee soreness and acknowledged there was uncertainty about his ability to play. However, he received clearance an hour before the game and went on to score 42 points, playfully acknowledging Stephen Curry in front of the Warriors’ bench after making a corner three-pointer.
“That’s my boy,” Edwards said. “Love Steph. Love everything about him. To me, greatest point guard. Love to play against him. If he’s not playing, talk a little trash to him on the side.”
Edwards appeared to grab at his right knee towards the end of the game but seemed fine afterward, engaging in a workout outside the visiting locker room while wearing a sleeve on his right leg.
“I’m good,” Edwards confirmed.
