The Golden State Warriors have struggled with injuries in 2019. However, the silver lining is the opportunities it’s opened up for younger players, especially breakout rookie Eric Paschall.
The second-round pick has turned into a primary scoring option for Steve Kerr’s offense during the first 25-games of the season, averaging 16.6 points per game. Paschall is quickly building a Rookie of the Year campaign after being drafted 41st overall in the 2019 NBA draft.
In the Warriors past two games, the Villanova product had a chance to duel with two other dynamic rookies, with Memphis and New York coming to Chase Center. Two top picks, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett, came knocking at Paschall’s door, but he didn’t answer.
The New York native only totaled five points against both Morant and Barrett’s squads, but was it just a rookie speed bump for Paschall, or something else?
Paschall didn’t play in the fourth quarter or overtime in the Warriors 124-122 loss to the Knicks, as he was dealing with a sore hip. Paschall was initially listed as questionable against New York, but looked good enough in the Warriors pregame shootaround to start the game.
No 4Q or OT minutes for Paschall, who ended the night with a wrap on his hip. https://t.co/gWla17rWlO
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) December 12, 2019
The rookie has a fastbreak dunk early in the second half. Still, Paschall didn’t look himself against the Knicks, and was later pulled and didn’t re-enter even with a tight game down to the wire. After the game, Paschall was seen with a wrap around his hip, but Steve Kerr said the Warriors were keeping their rookie out more for precautionary reasons.
“It tightened up on him,” Kerr told reporters after his team’s loss to the Knicks. “For precautionary reasons, we kept him out, but Rick (Cellebrini) is not too concerned.”
With the Warriors finally healthy for one of the first times in 2019, expect the team to handle Paschall’s hip with precaution. Golden State added depth to their forward rotation Wednesday when they recalled Serbian rookie, Alen Smailagic, from the G League. Smailagic’s aggressive athleticism could pad the loss of Paschall for a few games.
With Paschall’s playing his way into the Warriors’ long term plans, expect the team to be patient until the rookie is 100 percent healthy.