The Golden State Warriors have only played nine games this season, but on Saturday night, reserve guard Shaun Livingston will sit out his second contest of the year.
Livingston missed a Warriors’ home game against the Wizards last week to attend the funeral for Mavericks’ guard Devin Harris’ brother, and on Saturday evening, he’ll sit out Golden State’s road contest against Denver for rest purposes.
No Shaun Livingston vs Nuggets tonight. Resting.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 4, 2017
Kerr is resting Shaun Livingston tonight, so Kevon Looney will be active.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) November 4, 2017
Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr told reporters in Denver on Saturday that Livingston’s rest would help more than just the backup point guard, as it could allow other players like Kevon Looney or Patrick McCaw to play more minutes.
Looney, a third-year center out of UCLA, is stuck in a tough spot because he’s improved his game dramatically over the last year, but is on a roster crowded with post player options in a league that’s trending toward small-ball lineups. McCaw, meanwhile, was named the Warriors’ backup shooting guard after their win over San Antonio on Thursday night, edging out veteran Nick Young who has struggled to fit in with the Warriors on both ends of the floor.
With Livingston out, expect either McCaw or veteran Andre Iguodala to handle the ball when starter Steph Curry is off the floor on Saturday against a Nuggets team looking to rebound from a slow start to the season.