Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Big names under injury cloud for season-defining game

By Peter O'Keefe

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks loses control of the ball driving to the basket against Kevon Looney #5 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center on May 24, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks loses control of the ball driving to the basket against Kevon Looney #5 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center on May 24, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors conclude their five-game road-trip in Dallas on Wednesday, with the matchup against the Mavericks presenting as perhaps the most important game of both teams’ season to date.

The defending champions re-took sixth-place in the Western Conference on Monday, finally snapping their 11-game road losing streak in Houston while the Mavericks went ice cold during the fourth-quarter in Memphis.

All eyes will be on the fitness of key players for the Golden State Warriors’ meeting with the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

Golden State are still without starting small-forward Andrew Wiggins and defensive menace Gary Payton II, with veteran Andre Iguodala undergoing successful wrist surgery on Monday that will put him out for at least the next four weeks.

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry copped an incidental knock to the leg from Jordan Poole during the third-quarter against the Rockets, initially limping significantly to put a fright through the fanbase. Fortunately the two-time MVP is absent from the injury report, meaning he should be good to take the floor in Dallas. However, things are less certain for starters Draymond Green and Kevon Looney who are each probable with wrist and back soreness respectively.

Stephen Curry shook off a leg knock to score 30 points in the Golden State Warriors’ win on Monday. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry shook off a leg knock to score 30 points in the Golden State Warriors’ win on Monday. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) /

It’s even more precarious for the Mavericks who are sweating on star duo Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The latter has played the last two games after a three-game absence, though he left the Memphis game in a walking boot after a collision with none other than Dillon Brooks. Irving is questionable with right foot soreness, and so too is Doncic as he deals with a left thigh strain that’s seen him miss five-straight games.

Needless to say that Irving and Doncic’s availability, and their capacity to impact the game somewhere near their optimal level, could well swing the final result. Dallas are 22-14 on their home floor, with the Warriors 8-29 road record having been one of the talking points of this NBA season.

Next. Predicted Draymond Green contract would be a steal for the Golden State Warriors. dark

The Mavericks were joined on a 36-36 record by the Oklahoma City Thunder after their one-point win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Golden State have an extra win at 37-36, but there’s no doubt that with 3.5 games between fourth and 12th in the conference, Wednesday’s loser will be facing an uphill battle to avoid the play-in tournament.

Home/Warriors News