On the second night of a back-to-back, the Warriors could be without their entire starting five against the Pelicans in New Orleans.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are listed as out on the team’s injury report. Iron men Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney, the final two pieces of the starting unit, are listed as questionable. Looney played all 82 games last season and Wiggins has played 82 in three of his nine previous seasons.
Among all five-man lineups with at least 100 minutes, that Curry-Thompson-Wiggins-Green-Looney starting unit leads the NBA with a 27.0 net rating. Sacramento’s starting five is second (20.5).
Thompson isn’t expected to play both ends of any back-to-backs this season as the Warriors heed caution with the guard. Thompson erupted for a season-high 41 points Sunday night in the Warriors’ first road win of the season.
Golden State had lost eight consecutive away games to start the year before that victory in Houston.
The Warriors will also be without veteran Andre Iguodala and youngster James Wiseman, who remains in the G-League. Sans so many core players, expect major opportunities for Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
Curry, Thompson, Green and Iguodala also missed the Warriors’ last matchup against New Orleans, which Golden State dropped 114-105.
Update, Nov. 21, 3:40 p.m. PT
Joining Curry, Thompson, and Green on the bench will be Andrew Wiggins. Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters in New Orleans that Wiggins will sit but Looney is upgraded to probable. Looney is expected to play his 129th consecutive regular season game — the second longest active streak in the NBA.
Golden State’s starting lineup will feature Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Jonathan Kuminga, Anthony Lamb and Looney.
