Following a reality check, the Warriors will return to court tonight! Saturday night, the Dubs took on the court for the first time without Jimmy Butler since the trade. They faced the struggling 76ers, and no one expected a defeat, considering the red-hot form that Stephen Curry was in. But it’s a ball game. Always expect the unexpected. The team not only lost the game but also lost the opportunity to clinch the 6th seed. So, what next? Will they seal it tonight, facing the Charlotte Hornets?
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The answer is simple. The team needs Jimmy Buckets on the court. In the last game, the 6x All-Star missed the action with a mid-back spasm. It’s something that the star has been dealing with over the last few months. So, the question is, will he return tonight?
Unfortunately, it’s doubtful. The team has again listed him in the Probable category for the same reason, as per national reporter Anthony Slater. Reportedly, Jimmy Butler sustained this injury after a collision with Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. The team shouldn’t take the 14th-seeded Hornets lightly, given their recent loss to the Sixers.
Jimmy Butler is probable at Hornets tomorrow night. Back spasms. Jonathan Kuminga remains out. He was icing his right ankle in the locker room postgame last night. Warriors still haven’t cleared him after handful of recent workouts. This has been tough rehab process.
Moreover, the team also has another setback. On Saturday, apart from Stephen Curry‘s flurry, there wasn’t much help offensively. Even Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski couldn’t generate much impact on the floor. Surprisingly, it was the rookie, Quinten Post, who stepped up, dropping 16 points and 9 rebounds. Guess what? The team has listed him in the Probable category as well, citing a right ankle sprain.
Above all, Jonathan Kuminga, expected back on Monday, still hasn’t been cleared to return. So, it’s a gamble once again. Will the team defeat the odds? Let’s look at the starting lineup and depth chart to get a clear picture.
Jimmy Butler & Co. vs the Hornets: Starting Lineup and Depth Chart
We all saw it—the Warriors’ offense completely fell apart the moment Steph Curry hit the bench. Live TV made it painfully obvious: without Jimmy Butler, Golden State’s flaw was on full display.
Now, it’s on Steve Kerr to figure out how to keep the offense alive during off-Curry minutes.
Maybe Brandin Podziemski needs to take the reins and run the floor. Or perhaps Draymond Green, a 4x NBA champ, will have to step up offensively—because with the playoffs on the line, the Warriors can’t afford to stall out.
The Golden State Warriors
| STARTING LINEUP | SECOND UNIT | THIRD UNIT | |
| PG | Stephen Curry | Pat Spencer | Taran Armstrong |
| SG | Brandin Podziemski | Buddy Hield | – |
| SF | Moses Moody | Gary Payton II | – |
| PF | Draymond Green | Gui Santos | – |
| C | Kevon Looney | Trayce Jackson-Davis | – |
The Charlotte Hornets
| STARTING LINEUP | SECOND UNIT | THIRD UNIT | |
| PG | LaMelo Ball | KJ Simpson | Malachi Flynn |
| SG | Nick Smith Jr | Damion Baugh | – |
| SF | Josh Green | DaQuan Jeffries | – |
| PF | Tidjane Salaun | Moussa Diabate | – |
| C | Mark Williams | Jusuf Nurkic | Taj Gibson |
With LaMelo Ball back on the roster, the Warriors may have to pull up their socks and get back on their winning ways. Moreover, Miles Bridges, who took care of the team in Ball’s absence, may not lace up tonight. So, in that aspect, both teams are playing without their second-best option. It’s an evenly poised match-up. Who will take the W home? Let us know in the comments below.