Warriors Face Adversity as Curry Remains Out
The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a precarious situation as they navigate the upcoming games without their star player, Stephen Curry. Currently holding a record of 10-10, the Warriors will be without Curry for at least the next two contests. However, there is a silver lining: Jonathan Kuminga is set to make his return on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans after a lengthy absence due to knee tendonitis.
Kuminga’s Return and Payton’s Status
Kuminga’s return is a welcomed boost for the Warriors, who desperately need offensive firepower. The young forward missed seven games but is poised to reenter the lineup at a crucial time. Additionally, Gary Payton II, who left Wednesday’s game with an ankle injury, is also expected to play. This infusion of talent comes at a pivotal moment, especially with De’Anthony Melton potentially making his season debut next week.
On the injury front, Al Horford will sit out his third consecutive game with sciatica. For the Pelicans, who are struggling at 3-16, Trey Murphy III is listed as questionable due to an elbow issue. Meanwhile, Jordan Poole (quad), Herb Jones (calf), and Jordan Hawkins (illness) will not participate. Notably, Dejounte Murray remains sidelined with a torn Achilles and is expected to be out for at least another month.
Draymond Green vs. Zion Williamson: A Riveting Matchup
The matchup between Draymond Green and Zion Williamson adds another layer of intrigue to the game. This will mark the seventh meeting between the two, with the Warriors holding a 4-2 advantage in past encounters. In their last matchup, Green successfully contained Williamson, limiting him to 26 points on 10-of-24 shooting, while also recording six blocks against him. Despite Green’s defensive prowess, Williamson has demonstrated the ability to explode offensively, as evidenced by his 31-point performance in their first meeting last season.
Kuminga’s Performance: A Tale of Two Seasons
The Warriors are hopeful that Kuminga can recapture his early-season form, which saw him averaging 17.2 points per game in his first nine outings. However, his production dropped significantly to just 6.0 points over the next four games, a slump exacerbated by an injury that cut short his second game against the Spurs. With Curry out, the Warriors have shown a desperate need for scoring, and history suggests Kuminga can deliver. In 17 games without Curry since last season, he has scored at least 23 points on seven occasions, showcasing his potential to step up under pressure.
Challenging Schedule on the Horizon
As the Warriors gear up for their matchup against the Pelicans, they must seize this opportunity before facing a grueling schedule over the next three weeks. The upcoming games include:
December 2 vs. Oklahoma City (19-1)
December 4 @ Philadelphia (10-8)
December 6 @ Cleveland (12-8)
December 7 @ Chicago (9-9)
December 12 vs. Minnesota (10-8)
December 14 @ Portland (8-11)
December 18 @ Phoenix (12-8)
December 20 vs. Phoenix (12-8)
December 22 vs. Orlando (12-8)
With eight of their next nine games against teams with .500 records or better, hitting their stride against New Orleans is crucial. The Warriors enter this contest as nine-point favorites, and securing a victory will be vital before they dive into a challenging stretch of games ahead.
