Steve Kerr’s Injury Update Leaves Warriors Reeling
On Sunday, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr delivered troubling news regarding two key players: Al Horford and Jonathan Kuminga. The outlook for Horford is particularly grim, as he will miss at least the next three games due to right sciatic nerve irritation. Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Kuminga is less certain. Kerr revealed that Kuminga is “not moving well,” and added, “I have no idea when he’s gonna play.” This comes after Kuminga has already missed the last five games due to knee tendonitis.
Navigating the Depth Chart
With both players sidelined, the Warriors face a significant challenge in maintaining their performance levels. Kuminga’s unique blend of athleticism and ability to finish at the rim is unmatched on the roster. Yet, the team does have some options available to absorb the loss and adjust their rotations.
Gui Santos, standing at 6’7″, has the size to effectively guard both small forwards and power forwards, making him a valuable asset during this stretch. While he has only clocked in 61 minutes of play this season, the expectation is that his role will expand significantly over the coming week.
Moses Moody, who is already accustomed to playing small forward, will also step up. At 6’5″, he will be tasked with taking on more defensive responsibilities against opposing forwards while Kuminga remains out.
Replacing Horford’s Impact
As for filling Horford’s shoes, the Warriors have a clear path forward. Quinten Post is expected to see an increase in minutes, while Trayce Jackson-Davis is likely to enter the rotation. Jackson-Davis comes with his own set of challenges; he currently holds a team-worst minus-23.4 net rating, according to Cleaning the Glass. Despite struggling to finish around the rim and lacking the defensive presence Horford brings, his activity on the boards could be pivotal. The Warriors are coming off a game where they were outrebounded by a staggering 20 boards, underscoring the urgency for a more tenacious rebounding effort.
As the team navigates these injury setbacks, updates are anticipated on both Horford and Kuminga’s conditions. The Warriors will need to rally as they adjust to their depleted roster in the coming games.
