After losing All-Star guard Klay Thompson to a season-ending Achilles injury before training camp, the Warriors will be without another key contributor for the 2020-21 season.
According to Shams Charania of The Atheltic, Marquese Chriss will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season after suffering a broken right leg. Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle confirmed Charania’s injury report.
After joining the Warriors during the 2019 training camp, the former lottery pick quickly developed into one of the better stories of Golden State’s 2019-20 campaign. Although he was briefly waived to clear room for Damion Lee, Chriss turned a two-way contract into a two-year deal with the Warriors.
Chriss logged 21 starts for the Warriors last season, averaging 9.3 points on 54.5% shooting from the field with 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The Washington product ended the 2019-20 season on a high note, registering double-doubles in four of his last five games.
Via @ShamsChrarania of The Athletic:
Warriors center Marquese Chriss has suffered a broken right leg (fibula) and will miss remainder of the season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 27, 2020
Via @Con_Chron on Twitter:
I can confirm the @ShamsCharania report that Marquese Chriss has suffered a season-ending broken right leg. Another devastating blow for the Warriors.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) December 27, 2020
The 23-year-old started the 2020-21 season coming off the bench behind rookie James Wiseman. In two games, Chriss averaged 6.5 points on 35.7% shooting from the field with 6.5 rebounds and one block in 13.5 minutes per game.
In his second season in Golden State, Chriss started to show off an improved long-distance jumper. During the preseason, Chriss shot 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. In the Warriors’ season opener against the Brooklyn Nets, Chriss stepped out to knock down one 3-pointer on three attempts.
Without Chriss, veteran Kevon Looney will likely see an expanded role behind Wiseman in Golden State’s frontcourt. With a thin depth chart, 2019 second-round pick Alen Smailagic could also get a boost in playing time. Smailagic has missed both of Golden State’s games to start the season with knee soreness.
