The Home Opener Is Half a Back-to-Back. Kerr Has to Budget It.
With Podziemski and Bassey questionable and Phoenix waiting the next night, Golden State has to earn its first win without emptying the tank.
Brandin Podziemski (back) and Charles Bassey (knee) moved from Out to day-to-day, and Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area lists both as questionable for tonight's home opener against Memphis. The Warriors play at Phoenix the next night, so every minute Curry and Green log tonight comes out of that game.
Why does the injury report matter more than the opponent?
Jimmy Butler III is out with a right knee issue and has an estimated return of January 2. Porzingis (illness) and Moody (left knee) both carry December 1 estimates. That leaves a rotation leaning on Curry, Green, Horford at 40 and two rookies, Yaxel Lendeborg and Graham Ike. Podziemski played all 82 games last season at 28.4 minutes a night. His value tonight is less about his 13.8 points than about the ball-handling he takes off Curry. Gui Santos has already been soaking up the extra minutes, averaging 29.6 a night over his last 10 games.
Memphis brings speed, not pedigree
The Grizzlies went 25-57 last season, but they played at a pace of 101.7, faster than Golden State's 100.0, and they arrive 1-0. ESPN's preview has Jerome leading Memphis after a 45-point game. Cedric Coward (left wrist) and Isaiah Stewart (left ankle) are day-to-day. A fast opponent on the first night of a back-to-back is exactly the matchup that punishes a short bench.
The number: 43
Curry played 43 games last season, and the Warriors went 37-45. He was cleared after a practice scare and scored 23 in Los Angeles. If Podziemski plays tonight, even on limited minutes, Kerr can keep Curry's workload down with Phoenix the next night. If he can't, the minutes have to come from somewhere, and the obvious place is the 38-year-old.
What is a win worth tonight?
Golden State opened with a 127-105 loss to the Lakers and sits 12th in the West at 0-1. The next stretch goes through Phoenix, Denver and Minnesota before the Lakers return on October 30. A win tonight matters. A win that leaves Curry and Green without legs for the desert costs more than it earns. The open question: will Kerr stick to that budget if the game is tight late?
Will Brandin Podziemski play against the Grizzlies?
He is questionable with a back issue, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, after being upgraded from Out to day-to-day. His estimated return date is October 23, the night of the home opener.
When are Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler III due back?
Porzingis (illness) and Moody (left knee) have estimated returns of December 1. Butler's right knee issue puts his estimated return at January 2.
