Golden State Warriors: KD fractures rib; Iguodala, Draymond start vs. SAC
The Golden State Warriors will host the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena for the last time this season on Friday.
Following a surprise Wednesday night victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, the heavily shorthanded Golden State Warriors are set to host the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena for a Friday night contest.
The question on everyone’s mind: how will the reigning NBA champions perform offensively without their three main scorers?
While the absence of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson was expected, the loss of Kevin Durant due to an incomplete rib cartilage fracture is absolutely brutal. While the defense is likely to get a boost with Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green reinserted into the starting lineup, it’s difficult to foresee which of the backup scorers will successfully step up.
Hold on to your seats as we enter the Swaggy P era!
BREAKING: Kevin Durant has an incomplete rib cartilage fracture. He'll be out at least two weeks.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) March 17, 2018
Game Details
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings
Tip-Off: Friday, March 16, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. PST
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
Projected Starting Lineups
Sacramento Kings
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SF: Justin Jackson
PF: Zach Randolph
Head Coach: Dave Joerger
Golden State Warriors
PG: Quinn Cook
SG: Nick Young
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: Draymond Green
Head Coach: Steve Kerr
Starters: Zaza, Draymond, Iguodala, Young, Cook
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) March 17, 2018
Injury Report
GSW: Jordan Bell (right ankle sprain), Quinn Cook (right hand contusion), and David West (right arm cyst) were each previously listed as probable, but will all be available to play. Kevin Durant (incomplete rib cartilage fracture), Stephen Curry (tweaked right ankle), Patrick McCaw (non-displaced fracture, left wrist) and Klay Thompson (fractured right thumb) are out.
SAC: Harry Giles (bi-lateral knee rehabilitation) and Iman Shumpert (post-surgical left knee rehabilitation & left plantar fasciitis) are out.
Next: Could Klay miss more than just the expected 2 weeks?
Keys to the Game
The keys to the game: get the main scoring options going early, and DON’T PICK UP ANYMORE INJURIES!!!
Getting Nick Young started is of the utmost importance, and I have high hopes for Quinn Cook after watching him with the Santa Cruz Warriors for the majority of the year. Omri Casspi was solid against the Lakers, so hopefully he and David West get enough buckets to carry the second unit.
I’d also love to see guys like Chris Boucher, Jordan Bell and Damian Jones get some run today, regardless of whether they’re ready.
But most importantly, it’s IMPERATIVE the Warriors don’t add anyone else to the injury list. Keeping the bench intact should be Golden State’s central focus for the next two weeks as we wait for the return of Curry, Thompson and Durant.