Celtics Have Big Edge In Road Showdown With Warriors
The Boston Celtics appear to be catching the Golden State Warriors at the right time.
The Warriors are dealing with an injury bug as the Celtics get a four-game road trip started in the Bay Area on Monday evening.
Stephen Curry is by far the biggest name on Golden State’s injury report. He sprained his ankle late in Saturday’s win over the Washington Wizards and is officially listed as questionable against the Celtics. Curry made it seem like he would be suiting up.
“Feels great. See you on Monday,” Curry told reporters following the game against the Wizards, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
But Curry’s ailing ankle is far from the only injury the Warriors have to worry about as they have several key players who will miss the game against the Celtics. Draymond Green (calf), Kyle Anderson (hip), Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) and Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) have all been ruled out. Green suffered his left calf strain against the Wizards and could miss extended time.
Green, Podziemski and Kuminga all play over 24 minutes per game while Anderson clocks in at 15.2 minutes per game. Their absence will leave a big void to fill for the Warriors, who sit at 21-20 on the season.
The shorthanded Warriors could help get the Celtics back on track. Boston has played .500 basketball since Dec. 23, going 8-8 in their last 16 games, including an overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks in its last time on the court.
The Celtics will enter the showdown with the Warriors with a clean bill of health, though. The Celtics didn’t list anyone on their injury report after Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis missed the second game of a back-to-back in the loss to the Hawks.
Boston, which lost to Golden State in early November, certainly will look to get its road trip — other stops on the trek include Los Angeles and Dallas — started on the right foot. Tipoff from Chase Center is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.