The western conference is never sunshine and rainbows. After six games for each team, there is just the Phoenix Suns, which has five wins. It’s a tight fight. Teams like Golden State Warriors will have to work exceptionally hard to climb and stay in the top 8. 

In their last game, the Warriors took a heavy beating against a pumped-up Portland Trail Blazers. They lost the game 98-123 and never really had any chance to make a comeback. Now, they have one more chance to make it even and leave the miserable #12 spot they’re sitting on. 

Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers: Injury updates and lineup prediction

For the Warriors, small forward Marquese Chriss has undergone surgery to repair his fractured right fibula. This will keep him out for a while. In another news, power forward Alen Smailagic will reportedly be out for weeks because of a torn right meniscus. While Alen did not play any game, this season (played 14 in the last one), Marquese’s absence will bite the Warriors’ bench strength. Chriss had averaged 6.5 points and as many rebounds in the two games, he played. 

Possible starting lineup- Stephen Curry (PG), Andrew Wiggins (SG), Kelly Oubre Jr. (SF), Draymond Green (PF), and James Wiseman (C) 

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For the Blazers, they already listed Zach Collins out because of the surgery to a left ankle stress fracture. Next up, they have Nassir Little (undisclosed), Gary Trent Jr. (Calf injury), and Rodney Hood quad cramp) all listed as Day-to-day decisions. 

Possible starting lineup- Damian Lillard (PG), CJ McCollum (SG), Derrick Jones Jr. (SF), Robert Covington (PF), and Jusuf Nurkic (C) 

Who wins?

The Warriors are in serious trouble if Draymond Green does not catch his rhythm back. After the covid implications and later a foot injury, he finally came back in the last game. However, he played a restricted 18 minutes and remained scoreless. He attempted 3 field goals and 2 deep threes, but to no avail. Even the head coach Steve Kerr agreed that he seemed like someone out of practice.

Stephen Curry has averaged 26.4 points and is regaining his shooting momentum. Also, while rookie James Wiseman is doing really well with his athleticism and offensive abilities, Kelly Oubre Jr. has struggled big time with a meager 27.4% FG in the past five games.

On the other hand, the Blazers are riding high after the last game. They came back from a defeat against the Clippers to demolish GSW. Damian Lillard completed his 15000 points with his 34 points in that game. Both CJ McCollum and Carmelo Anthony have also looked dangerous until now. The best part with them is their defense, and that has kept the Warriors restricted. 

Our prediction is that the Warriors will make a comeback in a closely fought game, given Draymond plays more minutes and Kelly Oubre delivers.