The Golden State Warriors have yet to see a fully healthy roster through 34 games so far this season, and that remains the case for their upcoming contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as seen with their lengthy injury report.
While the Warriors have a number of players currently out with differing health issues, the latest updates on the team signal a tough test ahead against the defending champion Thunder.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Golden State will be without its big three of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green for at least the next game.
“Golden State’s Stephen Curry (ankle), Jimmy Butler (illness) and Draymond Green (rest) will miss tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater,” Charania wrote in a post on X.
The Warriors have a load of concerns entering the new year, specifically with Jonathan Kuminga‘s future and the likelihood that he’ll be traded after a rough past 12 months with the organization. Yet still, the sidelined aging stars remain one of their biggest problems as they hope to make one more title push in Curry’s final few seasons in the NBA.
Warriors Injury Report For Thunder Game
The Warriors officially have seven players listed on their injury report hours before their contest against the Thunder.
Curry was originally listed as questionable for the game, but now is ruled out with an ankle injury, according to both Charania and Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Both also reported that Green will be sidelined due to rest on the first leg of their back-to-backs against both Oklahoma City and then the Utah Jazz.
Butler was originally listed as doubtful for the matchup, but he’s now confirmed out with an undisclosed illness.
Additionally, Golden State has ruled out both L.J. Cryer and Seth Curry, as both have been on the injury report for a few days with a back strain and a sciatic nerve issue, respectively.
Al Horford and Trayce Jackson-Davis are both listed as probable for the game against the Thunder. Horford confirmed that he won’t play back-to-backs for the remainder of his career, so if he plays, despite the sciatica that has derailed his season, the 39-year-old won’t suit up against the Jazz. Jackson-Davis has been dealing with patellar tendinitis in his right knee, but the injury hasn’t sidelined him yet.
Finally, the Warriors have De’Anthony Melton listed as questionable, as he’s been on the long road of recovery after suffering a torn ACL early last season. Golden State knew when signing him that he would likely be limited throughout the season, and with only ten appearances on the year, even if he does play, it won’t be his last spotting on the injury report.
Friedell reported that Kuminga will suit up against the Thunder, as with the numerous injury concerns, he, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Quinten Post, Buddy Hield, Pat Spencer, and rookie Will Richard will all have outstretched roles.
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors
The issue of Kuminga has cast a shadow over the entire Warriors organization so far this season. After a hot start to the year, he was subsequently benched by head coach Steve Kerr and has only sparsely seen playing time over the past month.
Kerr has discussed the unusual situation he and the team are in regarding Kuminga, and though it is an open secret around the league that the 23-year-old will be traded before the February 5th deadline, his uncertain status remains an issue for the team.
Recently, it was reported by NBA insider Brett Siegel that the Warriors are ‘working several angles’ in order to find a suitor for Kuminga. They are reportedly looking for the ‘right deal’ for the wing player, and while there have been some teams consistently named in trade rumors, Golden State is waiting for a return that they believe will help them as the season goes along.
The Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, and even Dallas Mavericks have expressed interest at some point in the past, but for now, nothing has come to fruition yet.
As seen with their struggles this season, the Warriors are likely looking for a two-way big in a Kuminga trade, and at the same time, that might not be the easiest player to find in the trade market, because, as the days go on, the available players could be dwindling.
But for now, at least against the Thunder, Kuminga will have the chance to prove his worth as he expects to play decent minutes with Curry, Butler, Green, and more out.
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