The Warriors are back in the Chase Center after a four-game road trip, but they won’t be whole for their matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
In addition to Klay Thompson and James Wiseman, who remain sidelined with an Achilles and knee injury respectively, the Warriors will also be without wings Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton II.
Sunday will be the third straight game Iguodala sits with knee soreness. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the 38-year-old forward hasn’t gotten an MRI yet, indicating a relatively low level of concern.
Iguodala last played in Golden State’s blowout win in Brooklyn, when he registered a +10 plus-minus. While Iguodala’s basic stats are modest — he’s exceeded 10 points in just one game this season — his defense and leadership has been paramount. Many of GSW’s most efficient lineups feature Iguodala.
Payton II is also inactive against the Raptors, though his ailment is listed as “recovery management.” He underwent hernia surgery late in the offseason.
The 29-year-old guard has been one of the biggest surprises for the 14-2 Warriors this season. He’s consistently lifted GSW with aggressive on-ball defense and energy. Though he’s not a major offensive threat in the halfcourt, Payton II has still hit nine of his 19 3-point attempts (47.4%).
- When asked about The Athletic’s report that Klay Thompson has been cleared to practice in full, Kerr said “Nobody has told me that, so I don’t know where that came from.”
- The Sacramento Kings fired head coach Luke Walton Sunday after starting the season 6-11. Kerr called Walton one of the best people in the NBA, and added that there’s a reason he believed in him in Golden State.
Walton served as an assistant for the Warriors under Kerr from 2014 to 2016. Golden State won its first 24 games of the 2015-16 playing for Walton, who was serving as the interim head coach at the time. But his first two stints as a head coach, first with the Lakers and now with the Kings, have ended unceremoniously.
