MEMPHIS, Tenn. _ It is possible the Warriors (57-24) will not play any of their All-Stars for their regular-season finale against the Memphis Grizzlies (32-49) on Wednesday.
The Warriors ruled out Stephen Curry (right ankle sprain), DeMarcus Cousins (load management from surgically repaired left Achilles tendon), Draymond Green (left knee soreness) and Shaun Livingston (left knee soreness). The Warriors also listed Kevin Durant (flu) and Klay Thompson (left knee soreness) as questionable.
The Warriors planned to sit their core players considering in their last two road games since they have already cemented the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Warriors will play either the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs with Game 1 slated for Saturday evening at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors also wanted to be cautious for obvious reasons. Curry sprained his ankle in the first quarter of Tuesday's game again New Orleans, though Warriors coach Steve Kerr expects him to play in Game 1 on Saturday. Cousins has not completed a full back-to-back since returning from his left Achilles injury on Jan. 18 against the Clippers. The 33-year-old Livingston logged 16 minutes against New Orleans and often sits in parts of back-to-backs.
Durant and Thompson both missed Tuesday's game against New Orleans, leaving it open ended on whether the Warriors want to rest them more or give them some minutes against the Grizzlies to establish a rhythm entering the postseason. After missing the past four games with left toe soreness, Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala plans to play against the Grizzlies. After sitting Tuesday's game against New Orleans for rest purposes, veteran Andrew Bogut will likely start at center.
As for the rest of the rotation, Kerr will likely lean on his younger players to fill those minutes. Alfonzo McKinnie started in Durant's place against New Orleans, while rookie Jacob Evans made his first career start during Thompson's absence. It appears likely Quinn Cook, Damion Lee, Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell will also have increased playing time.
