Losing Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson has made the 2019-20 season difficult for the Golden State Warriors. Against the New Orleans Pelicans, it won’t get any easier.
Golden State will be without their starting power forward and center in the debut of 2019 top pick Zion Williamson in San Francisco. Draymond Green (pelvic contusion) and Marquese Chriss (left calf soreness) have been ruled out against New Orleans on Sunday.
Without both their starting big men, the Warriors will only have nine available players against the Pelicans. Kevon Looney and rookie Eric Paschall will start on the frontline in their place.
Alen Smailagic and Dragan Bender will be in line for playing time in Steve Kerr’s rotation off the bench.
Smailagic was called up to the Warriors after a stint with G League Santa Cruz. With Golden State, the Serbian rookie is averaging 4.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 13 games.
Bender signed a 10-day contract with Golden State just hours before tip-off against New Orleans. The Croatian 22-year-old spent the start of the season with the Milwaukee Bucks, but has not played a game since Jan. 24. With the Warriors injury concerns, Bender could be tapped for heavy minutes in his first game with Golden State.
Golden State will have their hands full with New Orleans, winners of four of their last five. Since the Williamson laced up for his NBA debut, The Pelicans have won seven of his 11 games.
Without Green, the Warriors will have to rely on Paschall, Looney, Smailagic and Bender to pace the former Duke Blue Devil.
