The Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans will square off on Sunday night in a matchup of Western Conference bottom-feeders.
Both teams have sustained a number of critical injuries early in the season. In fact, the injury report team is about as stacked as any squad in the NBA:
Players out or doubtful for Warriors @ Pelicans tonight:
Steph Curry
Klay Thompson
Zion Williamson
Brandon Ingram
D'Angelo Russell
Lonzo Ball
Derrick Favors
Josh Hart
Kevon Looney
Jahlil Okafor
Jacob Evans
Darius Miller
Alen Smailagic
Damion Lee(+Redick/Jackson questionable)
— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) November 17, 2019
The Warriors have the highest-profile injuries.
Golden State was already without Klay Thompson after the All-Star shooting guard suffered a torn ACL in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. But things have only gotten worse.
Kevon Looney played in season opener before hitting the shelf with a nerve-related malady. Stephen Curry broke his hand in the fourth game of the season, and is likely out until the All-Star break — if not even longer. Most recently, D'Angelo Russell suffered a sprained thumb and is out for two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans were dealt an early blow when it was revealed that Zion Williamson would have to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.
Early concerns over Lonzo Ball's ankle were troubling, and now he will likely miss his fifth straight game with a right adductor strain. Ingram had been the lone bright spot for the Pelicans, but he has also missed some time due to right knee soreness.
Needless to say, things have not gone as planned for either franchise. The Warriors and Pelicans were both regarded as preseason playoff contenders, but they are a combined 5-20 thus far.
Unfortunately, Sunday night's game provides more intrigue off the floor than it will on the court.
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