When Klay Thompson left Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals with a knee injury, the Golden State Warriors immediately had to start thinking of ways to replace their three-time All-Star for 2020. Then the offseason came and Kevin Durant departed for the Brooklyn Nets, leaving Golden State in uncharted territory. Replacing two All-Stars is hard enough, but that was just the tip of the iceberg for the Warriors’ 2019-20 season.
The Dubs started the season thin, then two-time MVP Stephen Curry suffered a broken hand after only four games, followed by a tirade of injuries through the rest of the team. Core players like Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell have missed time, with role players like Jacob Evans and Alec Burks also out. The injury bug has torn through the Warriors roster from top to bottom.
- Klay Thompson: 13 (ACL)
- Alen Smailigic: 13 (Ankle)
- Kevon Looney: 12 (Hamstring & Neuropathic)
- Jacob Evans: 10 (Groin)
- Stephen Curry: 9 (Hand)
- Draymond Green: 5 (Finger)
- D’Angelo Russell: 3 (Ankle & Thumb)
- Alec Burks: 3 (Ankle)
- Willie Cauley-Stein: 3 (Foot)
- Damion Lee 2: (Hand)
- Omari Spellman: 1 (Ankle)
Count that 74-total games missed with injuries according to Sportrac.com, with the next closest team being the Indiana Pacers at 46.
Glenn Robinson III, Jordan Poole, and Ky Bowman are the only players with Golden State to suit up for every game this season. Marquese Chriss and Eric Paschall have each missed a game due to coach’s decision, but have played in 12 of the team’s 13 other games. This number will continue to grow as players like Curry, Thompson, Russell, and Lee aren’t expected back soon.
The good news is they might have reinforcements on the way. The team announced Looney, Evans, and Smailigic will get reevaluated by team doctors on Wednesday. There should be new timetables set for their return post evaluation and the news can’t come sooner for the depleted Dubs.
The Warriors will kick off the first of a four-game road trip versus the similarly injury-laden New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels are one of the Dub’s two wins on the season, but each team will carry thin rotations this time around.
The Warriors-Pelicans official injury report has 16 players on it. Tips in about an hour in New Orleans. Pelicans favored by 3.5 points. pic.twitter.com/h7pR2yJZUJ
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 17, 2019
How Steve Kerr will craft a lineup with only nine healthy will be his newest challenge in a year full of tests for the championship coach.