Injury Update: Steph Curry practices with G League Santa Cruz Warriors

Before he returns from injury, Stephen Curry spent time practicing with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors.

It’s been a long process, but it looks like Stephen Curry‘s return from injury is nearing. The Golden State Warriors’ point guard has missed a majority of the 2019-20 season due to a hand injury. Still, he could be on his way back as the calendar flips to March.

Curry’s checked off a bevy of steps during his broken hand rehab. The injured two-time Most Valuable Player has been traveling with the Warriors on the road, participating in practice and full-contact scrimmages. Curry has also been suiting up to go through his pregame shooting routine before the Warriors take the court.

One of the final steps in his rehab led Curry on a day trip to Santa Cruz. The six-time All-Star was assigned to Golden State’s NBA G League affiliate in Santa Cruz for a day of practice.

Curry went through scrimmages with the Santa Cruz squad to build up his rhythm and conditioning before getting back to game action with Golden State. When the 5-on-5 scrimmage was over, Curry went through shooting drills.

After practice was over in Santa Cruz, the Warriors quickly recalled Curry back to the NBA club.

There has yet to be a confirmed date for the Davidson product’s official return to the floor. However, the next available option could be Thursday when the defending champion Toronto Raptors travel to San Francisco.

Report: Warriors signing Bay Area product Juan Toscano–Anderson to NBA contract

After dealing six players off their roster, the Golden State Warriors are signing local product, Juan Toscano-Anderson to his first NBA contract.

After a bevy of moves before the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors roster is left thin. The Warriors flurry of moves sent out six players, with all six being steady contributors throughout the season.

Willie Cauley-Stein’s move to Dallas started Golden State’s active week, with trades of Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III following. The Warriors capped off their trade deadline with a blockbuster deal sending D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans III and Omari Spellman to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors ended the trade deadline sending out six different players with most of the return being draft compensation. Andrew Wiggins was the only player to come back in a deal for Golden State, leaving the Warriors’ front office with some work to do to fill out the rotation.

Starting the Warriors roster replenishment, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported Juan Toscano-Anderson would be signed to one of the Golden State’s open roster spots.

Toscano-Anderson played with the Warriors G League affiliate in Santa Cruz this season, averaging 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 29 minutes per game.

Before playing in the G League, Toscano-Anderson went undrafted after playing four years at Marquette. The swingman went on to play professionally in Mexico.

Toscano-Anderson, born in Oakland, played high school basketball at Castro Valley for the Trojans.

The Bay Area product will have the remainder of the season with Golden State to show he belongs in the NBA for the long-haul.

Jacob Evans III back with Golden State after quick stint in G League

After two games with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Jacob Evans III is returning to the Golden State Warriors in-time for their tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers.

A scary collision against the Dallas Mavericks landed Golden State Warriors’ guard, Jacob Evans III, in the NBA’s concussion protocol. Evans missed three straight games, but overall, injuries have hampered the entirety of his sophomore season in the NBA.

Evans has missed 23 total games throughout the 2019-20 season due to both a concussion and a groin injury. Ailments have stunted Evans’s development and growth in his second season with the Golden State Warriors.

Evans has struggled with consistency and comfortability in Steve Kerr’s rotation throughout the season. The second-year guard is averaging 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists on 31.2 % shooting from the field in 15.0 minutes per game.

After missing three-games in the NBA’s concussion protocol, Evans returned for one contest against the Utah Jazz, before Golden State made the decision to send the former Cincinnati Bearcat down to the G League.

Evans spent two games with the Warriors G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, and started both games. In two games, Evans averaged 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 32.1 % shooting in 30.8 minutes per game. Evans’s performance with Santa Cruz was enough for Golden State to recall their second-year guard before they start their five-game road trip.

Evans will join the Warriors to kick off their five-game road trip against the Philadelphia 76ers, the first game to take place in Kobe Bryant’s hometown since his tragic death.

Alen Smailagic could get increased role post-Willie Cauley-Stein trade

Serbian rookie Alen Smailagic, currently in the G League, could be up for more NBA games after the Warriors dealt Willie Cauley-Stein to Dallas.

With the 2020 NBA trade deadline on the horizon, the first Golden State Warriors’ domino dropped when the Dallas Mavericks finalized a move to acquire Willie Cauley-Stein.

Along with Cauley-Stein, Golden State has other players that could be dealt before the trade deadline on February 6, but in the present, who will step up in the Warriors rotation while the roster is being tinkered?

With Cauley-Stein’s departure to Dallas, and Kevon Looney’s battle with injuries, the Golden State frontcourt has thinned quickly. Draymond Green, Omari Spellman and two-way contract player, Marquese Chriss will eat a lion share of the center minutes without Cauley-Stein.

However, is 19-year-old second-round draft pick, Alen Smailagic in line to see an increased opportunity in Golden State’s frontcourt?

After Golden State’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, Steve Kerr was asked if Smailagic will get the call up from the G League with Cauley-Stein traded to Dallas.

Possibly, I still think it’s more valuable for him to play big minutes in Santa Cruz other than playing shorter minutes here — For sure he’ll be up here for more games at some point during the rest of the season

Since returning from an injury that hampered the start of his basketball career, Smailagic has played nine games in the NBA, averaging 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game.

What Smailagic’s numbers don’t show is the spark that he brings to Golden State’s rotation when he takes the floor. Whether it’s a dunk, a banked-in three-pointer, or a hustle play — the Warriors’ crowd responds to the Serbian rookie’s energy.

Smailagic’s age and experience limit him from even being considered a refined NBA prospect at this point. However, with minutes opening up and the Golden State record dwindling, the 19-year-old has a chance to further his development at the NBA level.

Damion Lee out vs. Memphis after hitting 45-day limit on two-way deal

The Warriors will be without Damion Lee against the Memphis Grizzlies after his 45-day two-way contract has capped his NBA service time.

Throughout the season, the Golden State Warriors’ rotation has been understaffed in some way, with the usual cause being injuries. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State will be without Damion Lee, yet, he’s not injured.

Lee takes up one of two Warriors’ two-way contract spots, and he’s hit his 45-day NBA service limit that will relegate him to the bench until the team can finalize his full-time contract.

Golden State waived 22-year-old power forward, Marquese Chriss, last week to potentially open up a roster spot for Lee. However, the team has yet to sign him to a deal that will keep him with the Warriors full time.

Two-way contract players are only allowed 45-days of service time with their NBA club, while the rest of their contract sends them to the G League. Lee is still expected to remain with Golden State, but there has been a delay due to salary cap reasons, according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported the Warriors would sign Lee to a full-time roster spot on Wednesday.

Luckily for the Warriors, with Lee out, D’Angelo Russell is expected to make his return after missing the past six games with a shoulder injury. Russell’s return softens the blow of losing Lee, who’s been playing well enough to earn a more significant role with Golden State.

Lee is averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 26 games with Golden State. Lee has started the last 13 games for the Warriors at shooting guard next to either Russell or Ky Bowman. As a starter, Lee is averaging 14.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

If the Warriors sign Lee on Wednesday as Slater reported, their starting shooting guard will be back for Golden State’s tilt against the Denver Nuggets.

Rookie first-round pick Jordan Poole heading to G League Santa Cruz

The Warriors have made the decision to send first-round draft pick Jordan Poole down to their G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.

When the Warriors selected Jordan Poole out of Michigan with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, it was a bit of a surprise. By most draft experts, Poole was seen as a project, and so far through 2019, but the first quarter returns on the rookie have failed.

Poole’s best asset traits when drafted, were his confidence and shooting ability. Yet, in his rookie season, he’s struggled to see his shot fall, and his confidence has suffered because of it.

A month ago, Poole tied his season-high when he scored 20 points against the Miami Heat. The rookie was 5-of-6 from three-point range and was looking like he found his rhythm for the first time as a professional— since then, it’s hasn’t been as pleasant.

In 12-games since scoring 20 against the Heat, the 2019 first-rounder has combined to score 18 points total on 4-38 shooting from the field. Through the first two weeks of December, Poole was 0-16 from the field and 0-10 from beyond the arc.

To help restore Poole’s confidence, the Golden State Warriors have decided to send the rookie down to their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. Steve Kerr said this was part of the team’s plan for Poole all along.

“Just a part of his development,” Kerr told reporters before the team tipped off against the Phoenix Suns. “We thought that would be part of it all along—When we drafted him, when we had him this summer, we figured there would be times we put him in the G League, and this seems like a good time to do so.”

Kerr said there’s no timetable for how long Poole will stick in the G League, but with the Warriors healthy at guard for one of the first times all season, it could be awhile.

“It’s just for an indefinite period,” said Kerr. “It could be for a couple games; it could be for a couple weeks. It just depends on how everything is going up here with us, and if we need him or not.”

Poole’s career started with a bang after being thrust into heavy minutes at only 20-years of age, a stretch in the G League to build his confidence back up could be the best choice for his development in the long-run.

Rookie Alen Smailagic named to NBA G League Winter Showcase First-Team

Serbian 19-year old, Alen Smailagic was named to G League Showcase All First-Team after a pair of impressive performances in Las Vegas over the weekend.

Although he’s yet to make his NBA debut, rookie Alen Smailagic might be the most exciting aspect of the Warriors’ 2019-20 season. Since being drafted by the Warriors at No. 39 overall in the 2019 draft, there’s been a certain level of hype around the 19-year old Serbian.

After dominating two games over the weekend in the NBA’s G League Winter Showcase located in Las Vegas, Smailagic took home First-Team honors for the tournament.

In two consecutive games, Smailagic totaled 43 points across the showcase for the Santa Cruz Sea Dubs. Smailagic had a double-double against the 905 Raptors Friday, tallying 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. On Sunday against the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, the Serbian teenager added 24 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Entering the showcase, Smailagic was on a tear in Santa Cruz averaging
22.6 over his past five games. What’s most impressive about Smailagic’s development recently has been his long-distance shooting.

The near seven-footer has been stepping out and knocking down three’s regularly of late. Smailagic has hit 13 triples in that his past four games, shooting 48.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Smailagic was named to the G League Winter Showcase First-Team alongside Isaiah Caanan, RJ Dozier, Alize Johnson and Juwan Morgan.

The Sea Dubs don’t play till Saturday, and in that time the Golden State Warriors have elected to recall Smailagic from Santa Cruz. Yet it’s unclear if he’ll make his NBA debut while up with the big club.

Expect the Warriors to be extremely patient with their Serbian rookie, as he is still only 19-years old. Smailagic is still not only young in age but has little basketball experience outside his time in the G League.

Earlier in December. Steve Kerr said Smailagic would make his NBA debut at some point this season, but right now, the Warriors want him to get as much playing time as possible down in Santa Cruz.

However, if Smailagic continues to make noise in the G League, Kerr and the Warriors will have no other option than to bring him up to the NBA club full time.

Glenn Robinson III out vs. Minnesota, two G League Warriors recalled

Eric Paschall will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but Glenn Robinson will miss a game after he suffered an ankle injury in practice. Alen Smailagic and Ky Bowman have been recalled from the G League in place of Robinson III.

Injuries have pillaged their way up and down the Warriors roster with the latest hit coming to Glenn Robinson III.

Robinson is having a career season with the Warriors; however, it will be put on hold as he’s ruled out against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Robinson rolled his ankle in practice over the weekend.

Robinson has been a workhorse for the Warriors in 2019, starting and playing in all 30 games for Golden State this season. Robinson’s averaging 11.6 points per game and 4.7 rebounds— almost double his career mark.

Steve Kerr told reporters before the Warriors holme tilt against the T-Wolves that he doesn’t expect Robinson to be out long.

In place of Robinson III, the Warriors made the move to recall both Ky Bowman and Alen Smailagic. Bowman, an undrafted free-agent on a two-way contract, was steady piece through the start of the Warriors season but has been down in the G League while the big club has been healthy.

Bowman’s started five games in G League Santa Cruz, averaging close to a triple-double; 15.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.
Smailagic was injured to start the season and has yet to make his NBA debut. Still, he’s making so much noise in Santa Cruz; the Warriors may have no other option than to play the Serbian 19-year old.

Smailagic was named to the G League Showcase first-team over the weekend, and has been on a tear with the Santa Cruz “Sea Dubs.” The Serbian teenager has scored 24 points or more in three of his last four games. Smailagic, a near 7-footer, has sunk 13 three-pointers in that four-game span.

Kerr said Smailagic is doubtful to make the rotation against Minnesota, but could make his NBA debut soon.

Although the Warriors will be without Robinson III, standout rookie Eric Paschall is slated to play after tweaking his knee in the Warriors game Friday night against the Pelicans. Paschall had an MRI on his knee Saturday that came back clean.

The Villanova product has been the bright spot in the Warriors down season, having him back on the floor against Minnesota will give him a chance to continue building his Rookie of the Year campaign.

Serbian rookie Alen Smailagic logs career night in G League Santa Cruz

The Warriors second round pick out of Serbia, Alen Smailagic scored 29-points in a career night for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.

A week ago, there was excitement in the air when the Golden State Warriors recalled, Serbian, Alen Smailagic from the G League. The second-round pick didn’t end up making his NBA debut and is now back in the G League— showing out.

Smailagic registered a career-night against the Agua Caliente Clippers, scoring 29 points on 66.7 percent shooting, adding five three-pointers. The 19-year old rookie added six rebounds, two blocks and three steals against the Clippers. Smailagic’s big night puts him a step closer to making his NBA debut with Golden State.

Smailagic has tallied 25-points or more in his past two games in the G League, dropping five three-pointers in each contest. Smailagic, at 6-foot-10, was primarily listed as an athletic banger and is now flexing a bit of shooting to his game, an impressive development by the Serbian who is still technically a teenager.

The rookies’ firsts season officially with Golden State was put on hold when he injured his ankle at the start of NBA training camp, once finally, healthy Smailagic reported to the Warriors G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

Smailagic has only been down in the G League for nine games, but in each contest, the big-man is displaying a new skill. Smailagic is averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game as the Sea Dubs starting center.

The Warriors frontline is a bit clogged with the arrival of Marquese Chriss along with Willie Cauley-Stein, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. While playing time in the NBA could be limited for Smailagic, expect him to continue to rack up minutes in the G League.

If Smailagic’s game keeps trending upwards, it could put the Warriors in a position where there only move is to bring up their 19-year old center.

Warriors two-way guard Ky Bowman shines in G League Santa Cruz debut

Rookie Ky Bowman has impressed in every opportunity the Warriors have given him, but his two-way contract is expiring and Golden State sent him down to Santa Cruz, where he didn’t disappoint.

Almost out of nowhere, an undrafted rookie free agent, Ky Bowman, burst onto the scene for the 2019-20 Golden State Warriors. Injuries in the Warriors backcourt opened the door for an opportunity for Bowman, and he ran with it.

Bowman averaged 8.6 points, 2.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game. While his averages may come across as low, his numbers don’t do his game justice. Bowman made a significant impact in Steve Kerr’s rotation when Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans and Damion Lee were all injured.

Bowman had a four-game stretch in November, where he averaged 15.8 points in 32 minutes per game. Bowman also played gritty defense when on the floor, locking up the opposing team’s best wing in each game.

Despite his stellar play, the Warriors decided to reassign him to their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. With Russell, Lee and Evans all returning to the lineup, the Warriors finally had some flexibility with how they used Bowman’s two-way contract.

Bowman can only spend 45 days with the Warriors, and 45 days in Santa Cruz on a two-way deal, but through 26-games, the Boston College product only registered time with the NBA club. To preserve his contract, the Warriors needed to send Bowman to spend time in the G League.

Bowman made his G League debut against the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario and didn’t disappoint. Bowman took over the game, scoring 27 points efficiently, shooting 62.5 percent from the field. Bowman almost registered a triple-double adding 10 assists and eight rebounds to his scoring total.

Bowman’s exceptional G League performance is further proof he belongs in an NBA rotation, but the Warriors will have a tough decision to make if they want it to be their rotation.

The Warriors can’t turn Bowman’s two-way contract into a guaranteed NBA contract with their current cap situation. The Warriors would have to cut or trade someone off their roster to make room for Bowman full time.

If the undrafted rookie continues to make noise in Santa Cruz, he could force the Warriors hand in what they decide with his two-way deal.