Did Nuggets game alter anything in Golden State Warriors’ usual rotation?
The Golden State Warriors suffered a second-straight loss in a 134-117 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. However, there were some positives for the reigning champions, with a 16-0 run late in the third-quarter proving the difference in an otherwise close contest.
Klay Thompson was rested on the second night of a back-to-back, Draymond Green was a late scratching with calf tightness, and Anthony Lamb was inactive as the franchise looks to preserve his game limit as a two-way player.
The absence of three of the Golden State Warriors’ usual nine-man rotation left extended minutes and opportunities for others against the Denver Nuggets.
The Warriors will be sweating on the fitness of Green, particularly ahead of another crucial clash against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center on Saturday. With Golden State’s defensive leader out, we saw the return of his namesake JaMychal Green along with James Wiseman.
It was Wiseman’s first playing time in over a month having been unable to crack the rotation since returning from an ankle injury. The former number two overall pick was solid given the circumstances, recording nine points and two rebounds in just under 17 minutes while leading the Warriors in plus-minus (+7).
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It was the usual things from Wiseman — flashes of ability as a rim-runner and lob threat combined with a lack of presence on the defensive end. He got cooked by Nuggets star Nikola Jokic on a couple of occasions, but to be fair, who in the league doesn’t get torched by the two-time MVP.
Green was productive at times with six points, four rebounds and four assists, yet he was also a part of the five-man unit who practically gave up the game in conceding the 16-0 run. Neither he or Wiseman were good enough to demand a re-insertion to the usual rotation, though Steve Kerr may not have a choice if Draymond Green is going to be out for a period.
Wiseman was productive albeit in limited minutes before his untimely injury. Since returning from his G League stint, there’s been enough there to suggest 8-10 minutes per game won’t be a disaster in the way it was at the beginning of the season.
The 21-year-old may be worth the risk over the veteran if Kerr is to turn to another big man, however, the head coach’s perspective on Wiseman has been made abundantly clear over recent times.
In terms of other performances on Thursday, Ty Jerome did his best to remind the front office of his abilities, yet you wouldn’t expect Golden State to add another guard to the current rotation moving forward. Moses Moody also played nearly 16 minutes against the Nuggets, but he failed to influence the game in any meaningful way.
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With Kerr and the Warriors becoming more and more desperate for wins down the stretch, you’d expect the rotation to remain the same assuming health and barring a trade. Wiseman will continue to be the big watch though, both from a playing sense but also regarding trade speculation over the next week.