Golden State Warriors' Star Players Miss Out vs. Denver Nuggets
The Golden State Warriors are facing a challenging lineup for their upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets, with key players Draymond Green and Kristaps Porziņģis ruled out due to injury and illness, respectively.
Porziņģis, who made his Warriors debut just a day prior, was declared out with an illness early on Sunday. Green, on the other hand, was scratched from the game at the last minute due to a lower back issue. The team's coach, Steve Kerr, expressed uncertainty about Porziņģis' availability for the team's upcoming two-game trip to New Orleans and Memphis.
Kerr revealed that he hadn't spoken to Porziņģis, who has been struggling with various health issues over the past two years, appearing in only 60 games. The Warriors' decision to trade for Porziņģis was based on the assumption that he could stay healthy, a concern that has proven valid so far.
In the meantime, Quinten Post is expected to fill Porziņģis' role. Green's performance has also been a concern, with his shooting percentage from beyond the arc at just 32% this season. Kerr emphasized the importance of Green taking open 3-pointers, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining peak performance as a veteran player.
Al Horford is set to start in Green's place, and Kerr highlighted the importance of the team's adaptability, noting that the role of closing the game might shift from Green to Horford. Despite the challenges, Kerr remains confident in the team's ability to find the right combinations and read the game effectively.
