In another blow to the Golden State Warriors frontcourt, rookie power forward Alen Smailagic has been ruled out “for the foreseeable future,” according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
On Thursday, Slater reported that Smailagic was undergoing an MRI on an injured ankle. Although a specific diagnosis was not reported, for the team to not provide a projected date of return points to the apparent seriousness of the injury.
Starting center Willie Cauley-Stein missed all of training camp due to a left foot strain and he is expected to miss most of the preseason if not all of it. At Media Day on Monday, Sept. 30, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced that Kevon Looney would start in Cauley-Stein’s place.
Two days later, Looney suffered a hamstring injury in practice. He has been ruled out for the preseason opener but is listed as day-to-day.
Omari Spellman is expected to start on Saturday, with Marquese Chriss backing him up off the bench.
