LeBron James is missing his third straight game for the Lakers on Tuesday as he works his way back from arthritis in his left foot, as well as a left elbow contusion. James went through his pregame shooting routine prior to the Lakers’ matchup against the Wolves, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (via Twitter), but ultimately decided that he needed more time before he’ll be ready to return to action.
According to coach JJ Redick, James was a participant in the team’s film session on Monday, but he did not take part in the on-court practice (Twitter link via McMenamin).
After the 22-time All-Star missed the first 14 games of the season due to a sciatic nerve issue, James has been quite durable. Prior to his recent absences, he had only sat out four of the team’s previous 48 games.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Luke Kennard‘s elite three-point shooting is transforming the Lakers‘ attack, writes Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times. Kennard is making 56.1% of his outside shots over the last six games coming into Tuesday’s contest, with the Lakers going 5-1 in that span. Nguyen notes that the Lakers were shooting 34.9% from three prior to trading for Kennard and have bumped that figure to 39.2% since bringing in the sweet-shooting guard. Kennard, for his part, is grateful to be able to play with play-makers like James and Luka Doncic. “It’s definitely something you think about like, ‘Man, I wish that was me there getting those open looks,'” Kennard said. “But now it’s a reality.”
- De’Anthony Melton is set to play in his first back-to-back set of the season on Tuesday as the Warriors take on the Bulls, writes Nick Friedell of The Athletic (Twitter link). Melton played just 20 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Jazz in order to ensure he’d be ready for tonight’s game, according to coach Steve Kerr. Melton, who is officially listed as questionable, has scored at least 20 points in four of his last six games.
- The Warriors have one of the NBA’s oldest and most expensive rosters, which is why team-friendly deals for players like Moses Moody and Gui Santos are particularly valuable to the club, Dalton Johnson writes for NBC Sports Bay Area. In a conversation with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Johnson outlines how these deals that young players can outplay can be crucial for building sustainable teams around superstars, with Smith pointing to Miles McBride‘s three-year, $13MM extension with the Knicks as another example.
I’m telling you, a 10-man playoff rotation of:
Steph Kristaps Moody Dray Horford Gui Seth Melton Richard Podz
Is doing damage.
OKC in 4 with an average point differential of 10ppg.
YDKB
You’re right I’m probably underestimating the warriors. OKC in 5 is a more realistic outcome.
With a Moody/Steph backcourt = this team is 100x better.
I hope you’re trolling and don’t actually believe that because if not when GS gets 30 balled by OKC in game 1 it’s gonna be a rough night for you.
Keep telling us Davey!
Agreed, that group could win a playoff series, and even push a top 2 seed in the second round
…but only if all our top guys are 100% healthy.
Hahaha, awe some of you Warriors posters under multiple different aliases are hilarious.
They are not getting past OKC unless OKC has some huge injuries not just 1 but a few. Kerr mismanaged of the team’s rotations and players is getting worse. Its hard watching the games when they do the same bad offensive players over and over.
Can’t pad stats against a non-crap team JeBron Lames!
Be back for a tanking bottom feeder real soon.
When they get the $52m LeBozo is stealing from them back next season?
You know when you talk about arthritis… getting old bron.
Warriors aren’t beating Clippers …. Lottery
Buzelis looked like Bam Adebayo against Warriors.
Just shut it down get ready for lottery then next year.
“Draymond Green sends a profane message to Warriors fans who want him gone”
link to yardbarker.com
Oh the wheels are falling off Al. Big time. Suck those sponsors and season ticket holders in though.
Yeah not looking good. Just shut it down. Get ready for next year. That 12-14 pick is a nice pick this yr.
the truth is some of the warriors are being exposed with more minutes. Podz for example he is not the next generation warrior player as he thinks. He is not a PG that can guide the team. His defense is below average. Spencer is being targeted on defense being too slow to stop players. Against the bulls the warruiors were being out rebounded when they were playing a team without a big man. Warriors lack a true PG and a big wing to rebound. Warriors need a true PG a QB that drives to the basket and dishes it off. Rebuild time is this offseason which some warrior fans refuse to see.
Ok but there’s no reason to tear it all down just because you need more PGs who are better than Podz and Spencer. Just replace those two!
Moody/Curry backcourt = GSW is cooking all comers.
Warriors are really missing Moody’s defense. Nowwe know he been making Podz look better than he is. Podz poor defense is being exposed.
First off Kerrs offense doesn’t use a traditional PG. Just like Bulls triangle offense. Its a hybrid of that. You would think a Warriors fan would know that.
Kerr relies on playmakers and ball handlers who can shoot. And he uses numbers to run it. Except tge offense is built for shooters. And without their biggest weapon. It doesn’t run as smooth. Warriors need Jimmy and Steph on the floor. To compete against better teams. A scoring PG/playmaker with size. Could really help. There will be one in draft.
When they had Poole he would drive to the basket which opened up for other people. Kerr’s problem is teams know the offense so its easy to defend against the warriors. kerr is a very stubborn coach and refuses to adjust. He is being out coached by teams with less talent. He did not prepare his team in case of injuries.
The L catches up to every offensive scheme. Why I always said all teams should be able to go big or small. Nobody talks about Klay. Losing him really affected the offense. Kerr needs to adjust. He’s too dependent on Steph. There are nice guards playmakers in draft that can shoot. You add that sign KP cheap or Vuc. Warriors could have one last run next year.
Klay is not the same Klay he was. His defense is not very good anymore. Kerr also did not teach the players how to be on offense without Curry. The whole offense is based on Curry and nothing else.
That’s the point. He’s a HOF player nobody dresses. Even the last one he was a part of it. They miss the real Klay lol.
The team got old which a few fans can’t accept the reality. Warriors signed Heild to take his place but he failed too. Most of the warrior players are inconsistent 3 point shooters. Cryer looks good so far as a 3 point shooter.
Raynaud — 33 mins, 18 pts, 8/15 FG, 11 Reb, 2 blk,
42 nd pick in draft.
Podz last night: 27 mins, 9/2/7, -20
My lord this guy stinks. Steph come back soon!!!
Its podz defense that was really bad. I just hope they do not give podz a extension this off season. He needs to earn it.
He does not need to earn it, he is the coaches son!
God, Mike Conley would have been PERFECT on this GSW team as Steph’s backup PG.
I don’t know about you but why is kerr having all the players at the 3 point line and not driving and cutting? Teams are just guarding teh 3 point line and watching the warriors take bad shots. Its frustrating they need to drive to the basket.
Its because …drum roll…they are TOO SMALL.
Buzelis with 41 points with lots of driving uncontested.
Kerr cannot play any more of TWO of the following players at the same time:
Podz, GP2, Melton, Moody, Richard, Cryer, Spencer, Seth.
If he does that, GSW win. When he goes small, they lose. GSW need guards with SIZE, no more of these undersized guys unless they have a 7’1″ wingspan like Moody.
the too small excuse doesn’t apply when the other team played without a rim protector. Teams are playing to warriors poor offense. Podz brings it up the court and slows down then passes it off to a 3 point shooter guarded. Next thing you see them passing from player to player and time clock down to 3 and they put up a poor shot. Bulls were driving to the basket and the slow footed Podz and Spencer sat there and got blown by time after time. Richard plays defense but his offense game is not great. GP2 plays bigger than he is.
I keep saying it, Podz best chance at being successful in this league is moving into Steph’s off-ball role make him run marathons all game. Steph can move to a more normal PG role and pass it to Podz when Podz gets open near the hoop.
The offense doesn’t run as smooth without Steph n Jimmy.
If I was made GM of the Warriors here is who I would keep and jettison at the end of this season:
KEEP: Steph, Moody, Gui, Horford, Richard, Cryer
TRADE: Jimmy, Dray, Podz, Melton
SIGN AND TRADE: Kristaps
LET WALK: GP2, Seth, Post, Spencer, Leons, Williams, Kerr
You are not trading Butler since he makes $52 n million and may not play next year. warriors will not trade Dray because they want him to retire next year a warrior. Unless Dray ask to be traded. melton stays if his option is picked up. i would keep Post as the back up center unless Kristaps signs a team friendly deal. I would offer Podz around and see if they can get a 1st round pick for him. I am afraid if Kerr comes back they bring back Spencer.