5-5! That is the record secured by the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets over the last 10 games in which they went up against each other. A combination of luck and skill seems to have favored Stephen Curry and co more during the recent games. In fact, the last time the two teams met, the Bay Area squad could even overcome Cam Thomas’s 40-point outburst to drive their team to victory. Therefore, the upcoming matchup at the Chase Center will be highly anticipated. Unfortunately, in the quest to take a lead on the win record, both teams will have to face off without a few key players.

According to the Golden State Warriors Injury Report highlighted by ESPN, Jonathan Kuminga holds a ‘Day-To-Day’ status. This means that his final availability status will be a game-time decision. They won’t make it known until a few hours remain in the game’s commencement. NBA reporter Anthony Slater also confirmed the same. He listed the player’s status as ‘Questionable.’ The Warriors signed Quinten Post in September under a two-way contract, and he will be out due to his commitment to play for the G-League.

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Meanwhile, De’Anthony Melton sustained an ACL Sprain when going up against the Dallas Mavericks two weeks ago. The medical team set the shooting guard/point guard to go through surgery to treat the ailment. So, they will rule him out for the remainder of the ongoing tournament.

Jonathan Kuminga was an unexpected and late addition to the Injury Report prior to the Warriors-Spurs matchup. Up till that point, he had been amongst the most consistent players of the season. After all, he had played in all 15 of his team’s 15 games. However, they listed him as questionable after he developed an unspecified illness. Eventually, the player did not turn up to take on Victor Wembanyama and Co.

Whether it was the 22-year-old’s absence or not, the Warriors recorded their 2 loss in 7 games. Not just any team, but the one occupying the bottom part of the points table for two previous seasons. Therefore, in Kuminga’s absence, luck may not have favored the Warriors when they go up against the Brooklyn Nets too.

Speaking of the Brooklyn Nets, however, they are in a more precarious position than their rivals. According to their Injury Report, Dorian Finney-Smith remains in the ‘OUT’ category. Finney-Smith dealt with a lingering left ankle sprain and was earlier listed as ‘questionable’. Bojan Bogdanovic and Day’Ron Sharpe also hold the ‘OUT’ status.

Meanwhile, Dennis Schroder and Ziaire Williams hold ‘Day-To-Day’ status. Schroder missed his first game of the ongoing season when his right ankle soreness sat him out against the Sacramento Kings. Despite this, the Nets managed to win by 108-103. However, the franchise won’t get too far without their 3 highest leading scorer of this season.

On a positive note, the Injury Report no longer contains Cam Thomas’ name. The shooting guard/small forward was earlier listed as ‘probable.’ Despite this, 3 of the top 6 leading scorers may not be there to go up against the Warriors.

With these injury updates, both teams must make adjustments to their starting lineups for the matchup.

What will the starting lineup and depth chart for the Warriors-Nets clash look like?

According to RotoWire, in case Jonathan Kuminga does not make it for the Warriors-Nets clash, then Moses Moody and Kyle Anderson can see their playtime increase. Having played in all 16 games, and started in 4, Moody has averaged 8.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1 assist. Meanwhile, Anderson has averaged 5.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over the course of 15 games. Their collective effort may not provide much on the offensive front. However, it may be enough to assist Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield in easing the pressure. In light of this update, we can expect the starting lineup for the Mavericks to look something like this:

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POSITION STARTER 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH PG Stephen Curry Brandin Podziemski Moses Moody Reece Beekman Pat Spencer SG Lindy Waters III Buddy Hield Moses Moody Brandin Podziemski Gary Payton II SF Andrew Wiggins Kyle Anderson Moses Moody Gary Payton II Buddy Hield PF Draymond Green Jonathan Kuminga (Day-To-Day) Kyle Anderson Andrew Wiggins Lindy Waters II C Trayce Jackson-Davis Kevon Looney Draymond Green Quinten Post (OUT)

In regards to Dennis Schroder, the players who can see their playtime increase include Ben Simmons, Ziaire Williams, and Keon Johnson.

Taking this into consideration, we expect the starting lineup for the Lakers to look something like this:

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POSITION STARTER 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH PG Dennis Schroder (OUT) Ben Simmons (OUT) Keon Johnson Shake Milton Cam Thomas SG Cam Thomas Ziaire Williams Dennis Schroder (OUT) Keon Johnson Jalen Wilson SF Cameron Johnson Jalen Wilson Cam Thomas Ziaire Williams Dorian Finney-Smith PF Dorian Finney-Smith (OUT) Noah Clowney (Day-To-Day) Trendon Watford Cameron Johnson Jalen Wilson C Nic Claxton Ben Simmons (OUT) Noah Clowney (Day-To-Day) Trendon Watford Dorian Finney-Smith

The Golden State Warriors or the Brooklyn Nets? Who will you be rooting for during the upcoming matchup? Let us know in the comments down below.

NBA superstar Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a title last season. The Warriors with Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Draymond Green, and the supporting crew did their part. The league was a well-balanced team, and they clicked on all cylinders. Curry was at his usual unstoppable best in the playoffs and won his first-ever Finals MVP award. However, at the beginning of the 2021-22 season, he was not happy with the team. He wanted the management to make some moves for a superstar to be a contender.

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The one superstar that Curry wanted is none other than Ben Simmons. At the time, Simmons was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. But he wanted out of the team after what happened in the playoffs the previous year. So Curry wanted the Warriors to make a move for the talented superstar. But the Warriors management could not make a move to land Simmons.

READ MORE – Stephen Curry?s Blatant Error Once Cost Millionaire Drake a Hefty Fine from 9x NBA Champion

And the Australian joined the Brooklyn Nets to play with superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. So the former MVP was not happy with the efforts, and?he left his feelings known.

Stephen Curry wanted Ben Simmons but Jordan Poole stepped up

Stephen Curry made an appearance on the ‘Brother From Another’ podcast in 2021 where he revealed his disappointment with the lack of investment. “Let’s say if you’re not having those conversations, then you’re not trying, let’s put it that way,” said?Curry. Interestingly, it was not just him. Curry, Green, and Thompson have all made it clear to the club’s directors that another top-level player is needed to make them contenders.

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However, this has been a huge blessing in disguise for the Warriors. If they had traded for a superstar, youngsters like Jordan Poole would not have had the same level of game time they had last season. This exposure has been a huge factor in the improvement of Poole in the last season.

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The season before, Poole played 51 games, started 7, and played 19 minutes per game in the regular season. Last season, he played 76 games, started 51, and played 30 minutes per game. This huge 10 minutes on the floor has worked wonders for the youngster. And he averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game. He also played a huge role in the playoffs and the Finals.

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On the other hand, Simmons did not play a single minute for the Nets. There was a lot of controversy about him sitting out in the playoffs. And he received a major backslash. However, he looks ready to prove his doubters wrong this season.

Also, with Poole, the Warriors have a star for the future if they manage to keep him longer.

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers will look to reassert their claim as one of the NBA’s top contenders this offseason. The way to do so, of course, is via trade, with many fans clamoring for the swift departure of Ben Simmons. While the Sixers will be rightfully pragmatic with the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, it does feel like the end is near for Simmons in Philadelphia. There’s too much love lost between him and the fanbase.

As the rumors begin to swirl, meaningful reports have only tied Ben Simmons directly to one franchise — the Golden State Warriors.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported that Golden State will “make a push” for the three-time All-Star, and on the surface, it makes sense. There is no better basketball fit for Simmons, and the Warriors don’t shy away from blockbuster change.

There is, however, one slight problem — the pieces don’t exactly fit. Unless the Warriors are ready to part with Klay Thompson, or the Sixers are big believers in 31-year-old Draymond Green, then there’s no clear avenue to both sides accepting an offer. It would likely take a third team.

The Sixers and Warriors may not have a deal on the surface, but work at it hard enough, and there are ways to get Ben Simmons to Golden State.

The lack of an easy swap should not dissuade either side, and more often than not, third teams are happy to jump in when there’s chum in the water. Whether it be a rebuilding franchise like OKC, which can absorb Andrew Wiggins’ contract for draft capital, or another contender with assets to spare, there are ways to get Ben Simmons to the Bay if the two sides will it so.

For Golden State, that would mean a generational playmaking talent in the open court, who could have his role tailored around two of the greatest shooters ever to walk the earth. Stephen Curry would take the ball out of Simmons’ hands late in games, while Ben’s defense — especially if he’s next to Draymond Green in smaller groups — would provide a formidable backbone.

Green and Simmons are an awkward fit together, and a trade made inevitably lead to Green’s departure, but even if the Warriors have to brave a strange fit, there’s more than enough value tied up in Ben Simmons to warrant it.