The Golden State Warriors are underway with a battle against the LA Clippers.
The game will be quite detrimental to the Western Conference playoff standings, as both teams are aiming to avoid the Play-In Tournament and secure a place in the playoffs.
Early on, the game is as close as many might have anticipated.
Unfortunately, Draymond Green has left the game early on with an apparent neck injury, and being without his presence and defensive prowess could certainly impact the way the game plays out.
The team has lost a bit of their stride that they found after the trade deadline — when the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler.
Many point toward Jonathan Kuminga‘s return from injury as a turning point. The two-way flow hasn’t been the same. The ball movement hasn’t been as smooth.
Apr 9, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles upcourt against the San Antonio Spurs in the second period at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Evidently, Golden State just hasn’t been clicking like they were in the first ~20 games with Butler in the lineup and Stephen Curry playing at an MVP level.
It seems Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was ready to act on such, too.
In the midst of game 82, Kerr is aiming to get the team’s flow back.
In the first quarter, when Kuminga would typically check in, Gary Payton II hit the scorer’s table.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater then reported that Kuminga isn’t in Kerr’s initial plans for the game, though that could always change with Green’s injury.
“Gary Payton II entering the game in what recently had been Jonathan Kuminga’s first quarter rotation slot. Word pregame was that Kuminga is not a part of Steve Kerr’s scripted rotation today vs Clippers,” Slater reported on X. “Could change depending on how game materializes.”
This game matters. A lot. It’s up there with the same level of energy and importance as a playoff game itself.
Kerr is taking a playoff-like approach and rolling out with a rotation that is going to help the Warriors have the best chance of winning the game.
