The Golden State Warriors built their offseason plan around Al Horford anchoring a veteran frontcourt. Less than a month into the season, that plan may already be unraveling.
Horford is expected to miss at least one week due to sciatica, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole reported, adding yet another setback for the 39-year-old center who has already missed seven of the Warriors’ first 18 games.
The injury update arrived shortly after Horford exited Friday’s 127–123 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers with right hamstring tightness, a setback that caught even head coach Steve Kerr by surprise.
“I’m not sure what it is,” Kerr admitted after the game, confirming Horford was “unavailable” with no timetable forthcoming.
Warriors’ Biggest Offseason Signing Has Become a Problem
Golden State handed Horford the full mid-level exception to shore up one of the NBA’s thinnest frontcourts. Instead, the veteran big has struggled to stay on the floor and has produced career-low numbers when he does play.
This season, Horford is averaging only 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game. The Warriors targeted him for his ability to space the floor. So far, Horford is shooting a dismal 32% from three.
Horford’s injury history has followed him to San Francisco, and the Warriors are now paying $12 million for a role player who has not been available for almost half the season.
His absence has exposed Golden State’s most glaring flaw: rebounding.
Rebounding Crisis Could Force Golden State into Trade Market
Kerr pointed directly to second-chance scoring as the decisive factor in the loss to Portland that extended their losing skid to three.
“Tonight, what really hurt us was the second-chance opportunities,” Kerr said. “They kept getting extra shots, and that’s where the game turned.”
The Blazers outrebounded Golden State on the offensive glass by 12 and converted those extra possessions into a lopsided 28-10 advantage in second-chance points.
No Warrior is averaging seven rebounds per game. The team’s top rebounder is Jonathan Kuminga at 6.6 per game, and he is also injured. Golden State entered the season believing Horford could solve their size issues; instead, they may be worse off than before.
Kerr Signals Shift to Double-Big Lineups
With Horford sidelined, Kerr acknowledged the Warriors may have to rethink their rotations entirely.
“We may have to shift the combinations a little bit and play bigger more often,” Kerr said. “Play two bigs more — somebody with Dray (Draymond Green), whether it’s Al or QP or Trayce.”
Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post could see expanded roles, but the Warriors are reluctant to lean heavily on inexperienced frontcourt players while trying to contend in a loaded Western Conference.
Sabonis Trade Buzz Growing Louder
Getty Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings.
As Golden State regresses, speculation has intensified about whether the franchise will pursue a major in-season trade. One potential target is Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis, reportedly linked to Golden State by Sacramento radio host Allen Stiles of Sactown Sports 1140.
Sabonis, averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists before suffering a partial meniscus tear, would instantly fix the Warriors’ rebounding.
However, his contract — nearly $95 million over the next two years — and the Kings’ reluctance make negotiations difficult.
What’s Next?
Horford could miss games against the Jazz, Rockets and Pelicans, with his earliest return coming Dec. 2 against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. By then, Golden State may already be reassessing its roster — and its $12 million gamble on Horford.
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