The Golden State Warriors are back in action tonight, looking to win consecutive games for the first time since Steph Curry fueled a three-game winning streak that ended 10 days ago. They’re facing a foe from the 2025 playoffs, as they host the new-look Houston Rockets. A win would certainly make their holiday turkeys taste a lot better on Thursday night…
Golden State isn’t even close to full strength, but then again, neither is Houston. It’s a battle of teams that are really going through it. Here’s the full injury report.
Out — Jonathan Kuminga (bilateral knee patellar tendonitis)
Kuminga’s injury has carried on, and it’s got to be incredibly frustrating for the young wing. This will be his seventh consecutive absence, and the team has really been missing him lately. Thankfully, it looks like he’s finally getting close to a return, as he’s started scrimmaging and has been assigned to the G League for some additional scrimmaging today.
Out — Al Horford (right sciatic nerve irritation)
The Dubs are certainly hurting for rebounds with both Horford and Kuminga on the sidelines. Counting the games that he’s missed due to his standard back-to-back resting, this will be Horford’s eighth absence of the year already.
Out — De’Anthony Melton (left ACL surgery)
Melton is getting close to making his season debut. Like Kuminga, he’s been assigned to the G League for some scrimmaging and practicing, which means that we’ll see him on the court at some point soon, hopefully within the next two or three weeks.
Probable — Draymond Green (right midfoot sprain)
After missing Monday’s win over the Utah Jazz, Green looks poised to return for this contest. Needless to say, that’s great news for the Warriors.
Out — Kevin Durant (personal reasons)
Two things that hopefully don’t need to be said, but we’ll say them anyway: first, it’s always a big bummer to not get to watch Durant, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and a Warriors legend, suit up his Nikes. And second, some things are bigger than basketball, so hopefully everything is okay with KD and his family.
Out — Steven Adams (right ankle tendinopathy)
The Warriors are at a hilarious height and rebounding disadvantage against the Rockets, a team that likes to start five forwards/centers an basically has no guards on its roster. That disadvantage grows with Kuminga and Horford sidelined, but it’s bridged a little bit by Durant and Adams not being able to play.
Out — Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle surgery)
Finney-Smith was one of the many forwards the Rockets acquired this offseason, but he’s yet to make his season debut due to an offseason injury.
Out — Tari Eason (right oblique strain)
Eason, playing in his fourth year, has been a revelation for the Rockets this year. Playing as big as they do in this era of basketball requires a few players who can stretch the floor (like Durant), and Eason has done exactly that. The rebound-gobbling power forward is shooting a league-best 50.9% from three-point range, while firing 4.8 attempts per game. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played in a few weeks, and is expected to be out until mid-December, at the earliest.
Out — Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair)
Unfortunately, Houston lost their lone high-quality guard before the year even began, as VanVleet suffered an offseason injury that will almost surely be season-ending. A big blow to a team with championship aspirations.
Enjoy the action, Dub Nation! The game — which is an In-Season Tournament contest — tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN.
