December 7th 2024.
The Golden State Warriors are gearing up for a tough matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at the Chase Center. After a stunning victory over the Rockets on Thursday, it looks like they may have their full lineup back on the court. Both Steph Curry and Draymond Green are expected to play, which is a huge relief for the team after they were inactive for the Rockets game.
This will be Curry's fifth missed game of the season, as he has been dealing with some nagging injuries. He missed three games earlier in the season due to an ankle sprain, and then two more in the past week due to bilateral knee pain. Despite these setbacks, the Warriors are confident in their depth and ability to withstand absences from their star players. In fact, they have a 4-1 record without Curry and 1-1 without Green. This is a vast improvement from last season, when they struggled without Curry and ended up going 3-5 in games he missed.
Green, on the other hand, has been dealing with left calf tightness and was unable to play in the last two games. However, an MRI showed that there was no serious damage and Green himself said on his podcast that he was grateful that the training staff caught it early. It was a scary moment for Green, but he is now feeling confident and ready to get back on the court.
The Warriors are also keeping an eye on Andrew Wiggins, who is listed as questionable for Friday's game. He has been dealing with a right ankle impingement and has been seen icing his foot after practices. Despite this, he played a key role in their win against the Rockets, along with Jonathan Kuminga who scored a career-high 33 points. This win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Warriors and they are hoping to continue their momentum against the Timberwolves.
Coach Steve Kerr has declined to name a starting lineup for Friday's game, but with Curry and Green back, he will have more flexibility in making adjustments to the rotation. He has also hinted at trimming down the rotation from 12 players to a smaller number. This means that players like Lindy Waters III may see a decrease in playing time.
Looking ahead, the Warriors have two games against the Timberwolves before facing the Rockets for the third time this season on December 11th. It's worth noting that the Warriors have a 15-game winning streak against the Rockets, dating back to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Kerr believes that these matchups are more random than anything and doesn't feel like they have dominated the Rockets in the past.
In other news, the Golden State Valkyries have made their first pick in the WNBA expansion draft, selecting Iliana Rupert. The Warriors are also preparing for their first meeting with Cal and Stanford as ACC rivals. And despite a recent slump in his shooting, Kerr has faith in Buddy Hield and believes he will find his rhythm again soon. As the season progresses, the Warriors are confident in their ability to overcome challenges and continue to dominate on the court.
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