The Golden State Warriors have yet to find their stride in the 2023-24 NBA regular season. They missed out on advancing to the knockout round of the In-Season Tournament with their loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, dropping their record to 8-10 on the season.
Unfortunately for them, the game wasn’t the only loss that they suffered. Steve Kerr’s rotation is going to be changing drastically as the team’s backcourt depth is going to be tested for the foreseeable future.
The Warriors announced they are going to be without guards Chris Paul and Gary Payton II for at least one game and more than likely beyond. Paul has a lower left leg nerve contusion that he suffered against the Kings on Tuesday night and has already been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Paul is considered day-to-day, but given his injury history, it would not be a surprise if he missed more than Thursday night. Payton’s injury is much more severe, as he suffered a torn right calf and will be sidelined for multiple weeks. He also sustained his injury against the Kings.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Chris Paul, Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors Updates
These injuries are the latest obstacles that the Warriors will have to overcome this season. Draymond Green returned from a five-game suspension on Tuesday, as the Warriors looked to have their full rotation back together but that didn’t even last for a full quarter.
Being unable to settle into a rotation has been one of the issues plaguing the Warriors in the early going. Constantly juggling who is playing and when leaves players unable to get into a rhythm, which has resulted in up-and-down performances on the court.
Without Paul and Payton, Kerr is likely going to turn to veteran Cory Joseph and rookie Brandin Podziemski to be added to the rotation. Moses Moody should see an uptick in playing time in the backcourt as well as the Warriors seek out a spark to get the team going.
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