Stephen Curry will miss at least the next two games after spraining his ankle in the Golden State Warriors’ 112-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry has long been the best player in Golden State, and the playoff-hopeful Warriors will have their first test without him this season.
The Warriors are a slight 1.5-point underdogs in their game against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. New Orleans is also 2-1 and will be without their own All-Star guard, as Dejounte Murray is nursing a hand injury.
The Warriors have deployed 12-man rotations in each of their first three games, and their depth is an early strength. Between Buddy Hield’s blistering 52 percent shooting from 3-point land this season, Brandin Podziemski’s reliable physicality, Andrew Wiggins’ veteran experience, and Moses Moody, who is looking to establish himself as a key rotation player, there is not a lack of talent in Golden State’s backcourt.
Against the Pelicans, stopping Zion Williamson is always a priority. Between Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Kevon Looney, the Warriors might not have the height to stop the best paint players in the league, but they have the strength and physicality to make life tough for Williamson, especially with him missing his point guard.