Golden State Warriors receive mixed injury news ahead of LA Clippers matchup
The Golden State Warriors' task of overcoming their pacific rival LA Clippers has become more difficult, with starting small-forward Andrew Wiggins ruled out of Thursday's game with a finger injury.
The Canadian had one of his best games of the season in the 124-123 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, finishing with 29 points and 10 rebounds on 11-18 shooting.
Andrew Wiggins joins Chris Paul and Gary Payton II on the sidelines for the Golden State Warriors' clash with the LA Clippers at Chase Center on Thursday.
The Warriors will be left short-handed against the Clippers, with Wiggins, Chris Paul and Gary Payton II all out with injury. However, it is positive news on the Payton front as his calf injury appears less serious than first indicated.
On Wednesday, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Payton had suffered a torn right calf, with his colleague Anthony Slater stating a "long absence" was expected. The franchise moved to clarify that on Thursday, revealing that Payton has only suffered a strain and that he'll be re-evaluated in one week.
Chris Paul & Gary Payton II injury updates: pic.twitter.com/TdWRx9EvBh
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) November 30, 2023
That update is a positive one for fans after the initial report, yet won't help in the interim as Golden State prepares to play a Clippers team who took care of the Kings in a 131-117 victory in Sacramento on Wednesday.
Third-year forward Moses Moody took advantage of Paul and Payton's absence in the fourth-quarter against the Kings on Tuesday, scoring 11 points in the quarter before controversially being taken out of the game late in the one-point loss.
Moody appears the logical inclusion to the starting lineup in Wiggins' absence, while fellow third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga and rookie guard Brandin Podziemski could also see increased opportunity against the Clippers.
Norman Powell is questionable for LA with a right knee contusion, but Ty Lue will have access to all four of his big-name players -- Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook -- on the second night of a back-to-back.