Warriors Receive Key Injury Updates Ahead of Thunder Clash
The Golden State Warriors (11-10) received promising news on the injury front this Tuesday as both Jimmy Butler (glute) and Draymond Green (foot) are set to take the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-1). Earlier in the day, Butler had been listed as questionable following a hard fall during Saturday’s game against the Pelicans, but he has been cleared to play.
Injuries Still Plaguing the Warriors
Despite the return of Butler and Green, the Warriors will still be without some key players. Stephen Curry (quad), De’Anthony Melton (ACL), and Al Horford (sciatica) are sidelined. However, Melton is expected to make his season debut in the near future. Curry is scheduled for reevaluation on Thursday, which may provide clarity on his potential return during Golden State’s upcoming three-game road trip.
For the Thunder, the injury list includes Luguentz Dort (adductor) and Alex Caruso (quad), both ruled out for Tuesday’s matchup. Additionally, Isaiah Hartenstein remains out for at least another week due to a calf strain.
Seth Curry’s Anticipated Impact
As the Warriors look to regain their offensive rhythm, the potential return of Seth Curry is a welcome sight. Over the last six games, the Warriors have struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 31.9 percent from three-point range, placing them third-worst in the NBA during that stretch. Last season, Seth Curry led the league with an impressive 45.6 percent shooting from three, making his presence even more critical for the Dubs.
His ability to maintain low turnovers while facilitating high-ball movement could inject much-needed flow into the Warriors’ offense. However, it remains to be seen whether his lack of size will pose challenges in smaller lineups.
Turning the Tide Against the Thunder
The Warriors will need to be particularly cautious against the Thunder, who lead the league by forcing an average of 18.1 turnovers per game. Currently, Golden State ranks fifth-worst in the NBA, turning the ball over on 16 percent of their possessions. In their previous encounter this season, the Warriors committed 20 turnovers, resulting in a 126-102 loss.
In recent games, however, Golden State has improved its ball security, averaging just 12.5 turnovers over the last four outings. With Butler likely tasked to initiate much of the offense—a role he excels in with a team-low turnover rate of 8.5 percent—the Warriors stand a better chance of controlling the game and securing a much-needed victory against the Thunder.
