Both coaches with huge lineup choices to make for Warriors-Kings Game 5

Tied at two apiece, the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings return to Golden 1 Center for a pivotal Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday. Knowing everything is on the line, both coaches are under pressure with huge decisions to make ahead of the critical matchup.

Star Kings guard De’Aaron Fox suffered a fractured left index finger during Game 4, but the 25-year-old stated on Tuesday that he’ll ‘most likely’ be right to go. It means both teams will practically be at full strength for the mouthwatering clash.

Steve Kerr and Mike Brown both have major lineup decisions to make ahead of Game 5 between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.

Steve Kerr and the Warriors made a surprisingly big decision ahead of Game 4, bringing Draymond Green off the bench after his one-game suspension that saw him miss Game 3. It worked effectively enough with Green having an impact and Jordan Poole providing 22 points, though the former did start in a more traditional lineup to open the second-half.

What do Golden State go with for Game 5? Green guarded Fox for large parts of the second-half, and you’d have to think Kerr opens with that. If that’s the case, is it Poole or Kevon Looney in the starting lineup?

Poole’s been much more effective as a starter in the two games at Chase Center, but you could argue a part of that has come from getting over his ankle injury from Game 1. It would also be a bold move to send Looney to the bench given his job on Domantas Sabonis through the four games to date.

From a Kings perspective, the poor form of shooting-guard Kevin Huerter has sparked a discussion on his spot in the starting lineup. Having shot over 40% during his first year in Sacramento, the 24-year-old is just 3-for-21 (14.3%) across this series to date.

Adding to the dilemma is Davion Mitchell’s role on Warrior superstar Stephen Curry. Despite coming off the bench, the second-year guard has defended the two-time MVP for over 21 minutes so far, easily the most of any Kings player.

Does Mike Brown pull Huerter out in exchange for Mitchell or the more explosive Malik Monk? Part of the conversation in Huerter’s favor may be his playoff experience relative to the other two. He was part of Atlanta’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago, while Mitchell and Monk are both making their playoff series debuts.

Whichever way both coaches go with their respective decisions, you can be confident that the loser’s choice will be harshly examined. Making the hard but right decisions are ultimately what defines the best coaches in the league at this time of the season.