The Golden State Warriors are looking to get back on track Friday night against the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena, but they will have to do so without the services of two of their All-Stars, as Kevin Durant and Draymond Green will both miss Friday night’s contest.
Durant is dealing with the same ankle injury that kept him out of Sunday’s game in Brooklyn, suffered Saturday in Philadelphia, while Green is simply resting. Green has made just one field goal in each of the Warriors’ past two games, and has played 31.1 minutes per game this season.
The Warriors will miss a combined 34.7 points per game and 14.2 rebounds per game with the absence of the two players. Warriors reserves Andre Iguodala, Omri Casspi and Patrick McCaw should earn more minutes as the team attempts to replace the production of their all-NBA teammates.
The rest is likely strategic, as the Warriors begin a stretch of three games in four nights Friday night, all at home. The team will also play the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night as well as the Sacramento Kings Monday night before heading off on a six-game road trip, their longest of the season.