As the Golden State Warriors season progresses into the new year, their already lengthy injury report grows longer. Golden State has already been without Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney for a majority of the 2019-20 season. Against the Sacramento Kings, another pair of All-Stars will be out with injury.
D’Angelo Russell (shoulder) and Draymond Green (ankle) have both been ruled out for the Warriors matchup in California’s state capital against the Kings.
Monday will mark Russell’s fourth consecutive game the former All-Star will miss with a shoulder injury that he suffered against the Dallas Mavericks last week. Russell collided with Luka Doncic late in the game and has been hampered with a nagging shoulder since.
Before the Warriors tipped off against the Detroit Pistons over the weekend, Steve Kerr said he would “expect” the Louisville, Kentucky native to be ready for their matchup with the Kings. Still, Golden State is being cautious with their 23-year-old point guard, holding him out another game.
Russell returned to practice Sunday; however, he will still miss the Dubs matchup with their Northen California rival.
Green will join Russell on the bench with an ankle injury that caused him to sit out from practice over the weekend. The former Defensive Player of the Year was ejected in the Warriors in Saturday night tilt against the Pistons. Green’s already missed eight games this season with a sore heel and a finger injury.
Alec Burks has carried Golden State with Russell injured, scoring 28 and 27 on different nights. Behind Burks, Glenn Robinson III has also played well with Russell out, dropping 25 against the San Antonio Spurs on New Year’s Eve.
With Green ejected against the Pistons, Spellman turned in one of his best games as a member of Golden State. The Villanova product added 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including a perfect night from beyond the arc on four attempts.
Without Green and Russell, Kerr will have to continue to rely on Burks, Robinson III and Spellman.
