The Warriors' Preseason Is an Audition, Not a Tune-Up
With Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis all out, the next four preseason games decide who fills their minutes, not who wins them.
The preseason opens with a Lakers preview at Chase Center, a measuring stick for the October 21 opener in Los Angeles, but three rotation regulars won't suit up for any of it. Steve Kerr's real evaluation this week runs through the back of the depth chart, not the top.
Four Games, Three Absences
Golden State opens the preseason October 4 at the Clippers, hosts the Lakers October 6, plays at Portland October 7, and closes out the four-game set against Sacramento October 10. Jimmy Butler, out with a right knee injury, is targeting a December return. Moses Moody, sidelined by a left knee injury, is on the same timetable. Kristaps Porzingis left camp September 28 with a health issue; Anthony Slater reported he has no return timetable. Alex Toohey, dealing with a left knee issue, is day-to-day and aiming for October 1.
Who Actually Plays
With that trio out, the minutes in Los Angeles, Portland and Sacramento go to Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, Al Horford, Georges Niang, Gary Payton II and Brandon Williams. Two-way signee Graham Ike, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and Miles Kelly, signed September 27 to round out the camp roster, get their first look in Warriors colors. If Toohey clears his own timetable, he adds one more body for Kerr to test before the games start counting.
The Lakers Game Isn't Just Another Preseason Game
October 6 at Chase Center is a preview of October 21, when the Warriors open the regular season at the Lakers on ESPN. Los Angeles has been the team standing in Golden State's way twice this decade, ending the 2020-21 season in the play-in and the 2023 season in the conference semifinals. A preseason score won't settle anything, but it's the first look at how this roster, missing three regulars, matches up with the team that opens the real schedule.
What Kerr Is Actually Measuring
None of the four preseason games will be decided by whoever plays best alongside Butler, Moody and Porzingis, because none of them will be on the floor. What Kerr can measure is who earns extra minutes at forward with Porzingis out, and who steps into the wing rotation with Butler and Moody both gone until December. Those answers matter more in October than any preseason result will.
Why isn't Jimmy Butler playing in the Warriors' preseason games?
Butler is recovering from a right knee injury and is targeting a December return, so he'll sit out all four preseason games.
When do the Warriors play their regular-season opener?
October 21, on the road against the Lakers, broadcast on ESPN.
