Steph Curry, Draymond Green ruled out for Warriors’ game vs. Pacers
As short-handed as the Warriors were in their unexpected win over the Pistons in Detroit, they’re even more depleted a night later.
Neither Steph Curry nor Draymond Green will play against the Pacers in Indiana on Friday night. For the second night of a back-to-back, they’re listed as out with bilateral knee injury management and a left L5-s1 disc — a back injury — respectively. The Warriors are also without Jonathan Kuminga (ankle sprain), Andrew Wiggins (personal), Brandin Podziemski (abdominal strain) and Gary Payton II (calf strain).
Moses Moody is probable and Trayce Jackson-Davis is questionable, leaving the Warriors with likely nine active players. Those two, plus Dennis Schroder, Buddy Hield, Gui Santos, Kevon Looney, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III and Pat Spencer.
The Pacers, who have won 10 of their last 13 games, are mostly healthy.
Curry hasn’t played both games in a back-to-back since his knee issue popped up earlier this year. He said after the Pistons win that he’s never asked the team for a night off, leaving his playing status in such situations in the hands of the training staff.
“Just trying to be smart,” Curry said Thursday night. “I want to play every game. There’s never been a time when I called the staff and was like, ‘Hey, I can’t go tonight’ type thing. I hope I wake up (feeling good) and we’ll see where it lands.”
Curry has also dealt with a thumb sprain on his shooting hand for the past four games, and re-aggravated it against the Pistons. He played 36 minutes and shot 5-for-21 from the floor.
Friday will be Curry’s eighth missed game of the season. To be eligible for end-of-season awards like All-NBA, players must log at least 65 games.
With only 10 available players against the Pistons, Santos stepped up by playing with unrelenting energy. He matched his career-high with 13 points and made several winning plays in 26 minutes off the bench. Given the Warriors’ scarcity of active wings, he’s in line for another opportunity against Indiana.
Although Payton is nearing a return, neither Podziemski nor Kuminga are expected back imminently. Kuminga is in a walking boot and has at least two more weeks of recovery from his significant ankle sprain, and Podziemski’s abdominal injury is more serious than initially thought.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.