The Golden State Warriors will be without a key piece off the bench against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Chase Center. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Eric Paschall will be out against the Pacers after entering the league’s health and safety protocol.
Over the past week, multiple players around the association have entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol due to testing positive for COVID-19 or coming withing close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
Paschall’s length of absence is still to be determined, per Slater. Following Golden State’s tilt with the Pacers on Tuesday, the Warriors will enter a tough stretch of games against potential playoff contenders, including the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Sources: Warriors forward Eric Paschall is entering the league’s health and safety protocols. He will miss tonight’s game against the Pacers. Length of absence still to be determined.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 12, 2021
Over the last eight games, Paschall has scored in double-figures off the bench in each contest. The second-year forward has thrived in a small-ball center role off the bench, averaging 12.1 points on 54.3% shooting from the field with 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.
If Paschall has to miss extended time, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Kevon Looney could receive bigger roles in Steve Kerr’s second unit. James Wiseman could also see extended minutes in the frontcourt. The 2020 No. 2 overall pick has started each game, but is only averaging 20.2 minutes per contest.
