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Golden State Warriors’ veteran quartet resting, youngster could return v Cavaliers

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will be resting a number of key players when they travel to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday.

After a 121-118 overtime loss against the Boston Celtics on Thursday, the Warriors have rejected the desire to pull desperately back to .500 by taking a full-strength unit to Cleveland.

Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors will be without veteran quartet Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green against the Cavaliers.

Curry played over 43 minutes against Boston, while Wiggins logged nearly 40 and Green just over 37. Thompson fouled out from the contest with a minute left in overtime, having scored 24 points in 36 minutes.

However, Golden State will be boosted by the likely return of exciting second-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, and veteran JaMychal Green, who are both ‘probable’ for the matchup. It leaves the Warriors with what will likely be an nine-man rotation, though it will be vastly different to what we saw on Thursday.

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum went head-to-head in a thriller at TD Garden on Thursday. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum went head-to-head in a thriller at TD Garden on Thursday. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Kerr may choose to start Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Moses Moody, Anthony Lamb and Kevon Looney, with Kuminga, Green, Ty Jerome and Patrick Baldwin Jr. to come off the bench. The reigning champions have also recalled Ryan Rollins from Santa Cruz, but it’s unlikely he’d see action until garbage time assuming Jerome is activated on his two-way deal.

Cleveland may be missing one of their own stars with boom offseason recruit Donovan Mitchell currently questionable with a groin strain. The Cavaliers will also be without Dean Wade, Ricky Rubio and Dylan Windler.

Next. How Golden State Warriors’ new lineup has fared over the last 12 months. dark

It’s going to be a tough challenge with the starting quartet out, along with another veteran in Andre Iguodala and third-year center James Wiseman. The Cavaliers have an imposing 19-4 home record, and will be looking to send the Warriors further down the Western Conference standings.

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