TITLE: Warriors stumble in home-stand opener, eye lineup changes as injuries mount
SLUG: warriors-home-stand-opener-lineup-injuries
CONTENT:
After spending 12 of their first 17 games on the road, the Golden State Warriors returned to Chase Center on Friday to begin a five-game home stretch, only to fall 127-113 to the injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland dominated the glass 52-32 and rode 26 points from two-way guard Caleb Love to hand Golden State what head coach Steve Kerr called a “troubling” defeat. Speaking postgame, Kerr told reporters he is considering more minutes with dual bigs to address the rebounding deficit. “We may have to play two bigs more often — Al (Horford), QP (Quinten Post) or Trayce (Jackson-Davis) with Draymond (Green),” he said.
Butler questions defensive effort
Veteran wing Jimmy Butler, in his first season with the Warriors, criticized the club’s defensive focus. “We’re just not guarding anybody,” Butler said. “From what I can tell, I haven’t been here long, but that’s never been the formula here.”
Horford day-to-day with hamstring tightness
Al Horford logged 18 minutes through three quarters but sat the entire fourth after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring. The team listed the 38-year-old center as day-to-day.
Kuminga nearing return
Forward Jonathan Kuminga missed his fifth consecutive game with bilateral knee tendinitis. Kerr said the Warriors hope the 22-year-old can practice and scrimmage Sunday; his participation would determine whether he can suit up Monday against the Utah Jazz.
DeMarco to finish season before Liberty move
Assistant coach Chris DeMarco, who agreed to become head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty, will remain on Golden State’s bench for now. He is expected to depart for his new post later in the NBA season.
The Warriors continue their home stand Monday versus Utah before hosting the New Orleans Pelicans and concluding with back-to-back games against the Jazz.
Source: Hoops Rumors
