With all eyes focusing on the potential return of Stephen Curry on March 1 against the Washington Wizards, the Golden State Warriors still have business ahead on the schedule.
Next up, the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers will make the trip north to the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Lakers and Warriors are heading in opposite directions going into Thursday’s contest. The Lakers have won six straight games, while Golden State has dropped seven in a row.
However, the Lakers will be without their Most Valuable Player candidate LeBron James against the Warriors. James has been ruled out by the Lakers with a sore groin.
James is leading the NBA in assists per game with 10.6, while averaging 25.5 points per contest on 49.4 % shooting from the field. The 35-year-old point-forward is coming off a 40 point night against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Warriors are also dealing with the injury bug. Two players have missed time this week due to injury. Draymond Green has missed consecutive games with a pelvic contusion, and Marquese Chriss is dealing with a calf issue. Chriss was held out against the Pelicans but returned the next game versus the Sacramento Kings.
Chriss wasn’t named in the NBA’s latest injury report, with Green getting labeled as probable against the Lakers.
James’ absence eases the Warriors challenge against the first-place Lakers. Nevertheless, to snap their losing streak, the Dubs will still have to go through Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso.
