Warriors forward Jimmy Butler exited Tuesday’s win over Phoenix in the second quarter due to lower back soreness and is listed as questionable to play in the second end of the team’s back-to-back set on Wednesday, writes Anthony Slater of ESPN.
Golden State could be missing multiple stars against Sacramento tonight. Stephen Curry has already been ruled out due to an illness that was bothering him on Tuesday, while Slater hears that Butler is more likely than not to be inactive. Draymond Green is also listed as questionable due to a right rib contusion.
The Warriors’ trio has suited up for all eight games so far this season, but head coach Steve Kerr suggested they could probably use a breather.
“I could tell on the [recent] road trip, all three of those guys looked tired,” Kerr said. “They just ran into a little bit of a wall.”
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, who was ruled out last week for at least two games due to a left calf strain, will remain sidelined for a third contest. He and Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain) will both miss Wednesday’s matchup with New Orleans, tweets Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com.
- Precious Achiuwa signed on Tuesday with the Kings, who were seeking frontcourt help. He feels he can help them in a variety of ways. “Size. Defense. Rebounding. Toughness. Competing at a high level,” Achiuwa said in a video posted by Kings radio reporter Sean Cunningham. “Things that I do really, really well.” Achiuwa played for the Knicks last season and was signed by the Heat as a free agent but he was waived just prior to opening night. “I was just waiting,” Achiuwa said of what did after getting cut loose. “Something is always going to present itself. I’m just always staying ready.”
- With the Pelicans off to a disappointing start this season, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) explores how three offseason trades might have made the 2025/26 campaign unsalvageable for New Orleans, while Keith Smith of Spotrac considers what the next steps are for the franchise. Besides the Pelicans’ trade up on draft night for Derik Queen, Gozlan singles out the Jordan Poole trade with Washington and the decision to send the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick back to them. Smith, meanwhile, argues that it’s time for the team to move on from former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson.
- Lakers guard Austin Reaves will miss a second consecutive game on Wednesday vs. San Antonio, having been downgraded to out due to right groin soreness, tweets Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group.
Dana Gauruder contributed to this story.
In 1 month the warriors will have played 5 back to back games. The NBA realy needs to find somebody who can create a schedule that works. No surprised the warriors will be down their 2 best offensive players. Good learning experience for the bench to play extended minutes.
The Waariors playing 5 back to backs while no other team plays 2 is rotten as hell.
However, come Feb-May the schedule is a lot easier.
Why i said a 5-5 record in the first 10 games is good. Nuggets are going to co0me after them strong on Friday.
With the big 3 all out, tonight will finally have Kuminga as the #1 option/centerpiece vs the Kings, with Moody, Post, Podz and TJD backing him – lets go!! Lets see how far along he is! Huge personal game for Kuminga tonight, can’t wait to see it!!
@ Davey….its a long season. Maybe, just maybe. The Warriors may have a light shedule leading into the playoffs. With your best players not young, which would you rather?
Too bad they don’t. After 3 games in 4 nights from March 7-10 with a road/hm B2B @Jazz/vs Bulls, there’s a 6 game east road trip in mid March with 2 B2Bs. Then 2 more in April, 1st and 2nd vs Spurs and Cavs at home and then vs Lakers/@ Kings April 9-10.
BRUTAL
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
🥹🥹😢😢😭 ……. 15 man roster.
means you won’t have any in second halve.
Stop speaking commonsense Al, lols.
@ KnickAl
If only that was true. GSW’s 41st game is January 17th, they play 1 in the rest of January, 1 near the end of February, 3 in March, and 2 in April. That’s a total of 7 B2Bs in the 2nd half of the season.
They should have moved Zion instead of extending him. I move him now. Build around Queen and Fears.
Murray is not expected back till January. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Precious is a solid bench guy for Kings. Imo they should get a rim protector to play next to Sabonis. He is best as a Power Forward. Why move him from his best position. This trying to keep with joneses attitude in NBA. Doesn’t work if you don’t have the right roster. Trade DeM and move Zach to SG.