Celebrity guard Stephen Curry despatched the Golden State Warriors a short scare Friday, leaving for the locker room in the course of the recreation’s second quarter. Victory 109-106 in opposition to the Sacramento Kings.
Though Curry jammed his finger in a minor subject, the x-rays have been unfavourable, leaving the 2x MVP as an on a regular basis proposition. The 36-year-old’s standing for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Detroit Pistons has but to be confirmed, however it goes with out saying that the Warriors will not be taking any probabilities with their greatest participant in the course of the preseason.
Steve Kerr has used three totally different beginning lineups via the primary three preseason video games, which is able to broaden to a fourth if Curry is dominated out on Sunday. Golden State is already with out presumptive beginning small ahead Andrew Wiggins, with the 2022 All-Star anticipated to return for the ultimate two video games in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers subsequent week.
If Curry misses Sunday’s recreation, Kerr ought to proceed to place his religion within the Warriors’ youthful gamers, as he has thus far in the course of the preseason. This might embody making a quartet of their gifted children, with a possible lineup of Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis alongside veteran Draymond Inexperienced.
The 4 have already led Golden State in minutes thus far this preseason, led by Podziemski at 23.8 per recreation. The second-year guard has struggled capturing the ball to this point, though his play has been spectacular, proving he can be Curry’s backup level guard this season. Podziemski had eight assists and only one turnover in opposition to the Kings on Wednesday night time, whereas he is additionally averaging 4.7 rebounds thus far within the preseason.
Moody was one of many main storylines to emerge, scoring a game-high 23 factors on 7-of-13 capturing in Friday’s win over the Kings. This got here after one other spectacular outing in opposition to the LA Clippers this previous Saturday, with the previous lottery choose making each step a winner as he tries to solidify a rotation position heading into the common season.
Kuminga’s improved capturing was additionally a spotlight, having made 7 of 11 from three-point vary within the two video games in opposition to Sacramento. The 22-year-old was moved to the bench in Friday’s win, however Kerr has already confirmed Kuminga can be again within the beginning XI on Sunday.
Jackson-Davis hasn’t been as efficient in his 54 preseason minutes, however the second-year heart is probably going nonetheless forward of Kevon Looney if Kerr desires to have a real large facet of Inexperienced within the entrance courtroom.
Beginning all 4 younger gamers collectively would definitely carry some pleasure to Warriors followers, however would even be an affordable problem contemplating an improved Pistons group traveled to Phoenix and cleaned up the Suns at 6 p.m. Friday night time.
