The Warriors entered Friday’s contest vs. Minnesota shorthanded, with leading scorers Stephen Curry (patellofemoral pain syndrome in right knee) and Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) sidelined and Draymond Green a late scratch due to a lower back issue.
Golden State lost another longtime NBA veteran to injury during the game, as Al Horford experienced right calf tightness and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, the team announced (via Twitter).
Horford sustained the calf injury in the first quarter. He played five minutes, recording three points and one rebound.
The 39-year-old center/forward entered Friday’s game averaging 8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks on .425/.361/.846 shooting in 42 appearances (22.1 minutes per contest). Horford has mostly come off the bench in his 19th season — Friday was his 12th start.
Second-year big man Quinten Post is a candidate for more playing time with Horford out. The Dutch big man missed Wednesday’s loss to Chicago and was questionable entering Friday’s game due to bilateral foot injury management, but was upgraded to available. De’Anthony Melton also returned to action Friday following a one-game absence because of a left adductor injury.
Horford holds a player option for next season worth a little under $6MM.
There is almost nobody left to play for the warriors. All 5 starters out. Playing 3 2 way players. Its like a G team vs the t-wolves.
Summet League style
OK, so it’s over. The problem is there’s five tanking teams below them in the west so they’ll get the 10 seed and have a play-in game.
If they lose, they’ll be somewhere between 11-14 or so in the draft before the lottery for the first three.
It is what it is.
Quick sidenote Porzingis sure has a lot of skill. The guy can shoot and he’s just an offensively talented guy.
Yes, but he’s like AD going forward.
Yes, true he is like AD. He’s talented and can score etc. but you can’t count on him to play 75 games. Porziņģis is AD.
And like AD, he wants a big contract and as aoon as he gets one, he will be hurt and not play.
Melton is pretty worrisome too. I would not give him a big contract.
Porzingis is a UFA this offseason and is looking at the Mid-Level at best given the uncontrollable nature of his absences.
AD is owed 60M+ next season which is probably more money than KP will collectively make over the rest of his career. AD would still be able to command 40M per season on an extension.
AD is a fraud. He has 2 more yrs left on his contract and he wants another extension when he hasnt played at all.
He’s like AD with a chronic illness, I don’t think Golden State will keep him around after this season with how bad their cap situation is. Trading for him was a desperation heave to get rid of Kuminga and find someone who might actually be a positive contributor instead of just sitting on the bench fantasizing about being traded.
How is there cap situation bad?
lmao
Does anyone still care? This team was done for as soon as they extended Jimmy Butler
I care. I’m watching the wolves game tonight. Let’s see if the Warriors can pull one out?
Didn’t work out tonight, but oh well, I was entertained. It ain’t over till it’s over.
This injury is great news. Post will be playing full tile now. Why in the world wasnt he playing all along?
He wasn’t playing all along because he’s pretty raw.
Warriors had playoff aspirations and even after Jimmy’s injury. With Steph, all things are possible. I think he writes that on his shoe?
But now that Steph is down for the count, it’s not looking good. So yeah play the young guys from here on out and see what happens in the play-in game. Curry will make an appearance and Porziņģis will get hot lol.