Looking to bounce back from a blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Golden State Warriors will be on the positive side of player availability when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center on Wednesday night.
Steve Kerr rested four of his starters, and Kevon played less than six minutes, in a 45-point demolition at the hands of the Pelicans. The horror loss has taken Golden State to an 8-10 record and 11th in the Western Conference.
The Golden State Warriors will regain stars, and the Los Angeles Clippers will be without a couple, when the two teams meet on Wednesday.
According to the NBA’s injury report, Andre Iguodala is the only unavailable Warrior, although former number two overall pick James Wiseman will remain in the G League. Meanwhile, the Clippers will be without their superstar duo in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Leonard has long been a foe of Golden State ever since his days in San Antonio. That history hit a crescendo when he led the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship against an injury-hit Warriors. His time in Los Angeles has been one of mystery and ultimately marred by injury, with this season marking a return from a devastating ACL injury.
Leonard played three games off the bench to start the season before once again sitting on the sidelines for a period. He returned for two games against the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers last week, but has now been ruled out with a right ankle sprain.
George has been on the floor more often but that hasn’t dissolved him from his own injury issues. The seven-time All-Star played just 31 games last season due to an elbow injury, and is now in the midst of missing multiple games with a right hamstring strain.
With Leonard and George out, along with Luke Kennard who’s shooting 47.9% from deep, there’s no excuse for the Warriors to drop another game. Golden State are 7-1 at home and they’ll be out to make sure that good record continues against their pacific rival.