Warriors Face Kings Short-Handed as Curry, Butler Sit Out
The Golden State Warriors are heading into Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings with a lineup noticeably missing its stars. Steph Curry, battling a lingering cold that has left him “wiped out,” will not be taking the court, as head coach Steve Kerr made the call to prioritize rest over risking further strain. Curry had tried to push through his illness during Tuesday’s 118-107 win over the Phoenix Suns, but even he admitted that his performance was affected. Despite his usual determination, Kerr intervened, emphasizing the importance of managing his health in the early, grueling stretch of the season.
Adding to the Warriors’ challenges, Jimmy Butler, who battled lower back soreness during the Suns game, was forced out at halftime after contributing just 14 minutes. Draymond Green is listed as questionable with a rib injury, and Brandin Podziemski is also under evaluation. This marks the first time this season that Golden State will be without at least one of its veteran core in a game. The trio of Curry, Butler, and Green had been present for all eight of the Warriors’ opening games, which were packed into a tight schedule spanning 12 days across five cities. That demanding start had visibly taken a toll, with Kerr noting that the players appeared fatigued, particularly on the road trips to Milwaukee and Indiana, where Golden State dropped games that many felt were winnable.
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To navigate these tough early-season stretches, the Warriors’ leadership—Kerr, general manager Mike Dunleavy, and sports medicine director Rick Celebrini—met with the veteran core to review health data and strategize how to approach back-to-backs and other taxing segments of the schedule. The goal is to find smart opportunities to rest players while keeping them ready for the long haul of the 82-game season.
Sacramento is facing similar issues, with star guard Zach LaVine and center Domantas Sabonis both ruled out for the matchup. With the Kings missing LaVine, who averages 27.4 points per game, and the Warriors without Curry, who contributes 26.8 points per game, Wednesday’s contest will be a test of depth and resilience for both teams. Golden State will rely on younger contributors such as Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Pat Spencer, and Will Richard to pick up the offensive and defensive load.
Kerr acknowledged the challenge ahead, calling it “a great opportunity for the guys who are going to be playing tomorrow.” For the Warriors, these short-handed matchups are both a challenge and a chance to prepare the next tier of players for meaningful minutes. With the regular season only just beginning, the team is determined to protect its stars while staying competitive, knowing that wins in these early games can have an outsized impact on the Western Conference standings. The matchup against the Kings promises to be a unique test of depth, strategy, and endurance as both teams navigate their injury woes.
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