The Golden State Warriors are struggling to hold their spot at the top of the Western Conference. With Steph Curry out until April 1 with a sprained ligament in his left foot, the team is on a three-game losing streak. The streak will likely be extended to four since the Warriors are resting multiple starters Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.
Golden State will be without Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Otto Porter Jr. for the game in Miami. Warriors reporter Anthony Slater tweeted the news Wednesday afternoon.
The Warriors are resting Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Otto Porter Jr. tonight in Miami. Second night of a back-to-back.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 23, 2022
This means that other players will have an opportunity to prove themselves late in the season. Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and Jordan Poole will likely keep their spots in the starting rotation. Gary Payton and Jonathan Kuminga will likely start in Thompson and Green's absences.
In the Warriors' Tuesday night loss to the Orlando Magic, Payton put up four rebounds while Kuminga recorded 14 points, five rebounds, and one assist off the bench.
This is the second game in a row where the Heat is playing against bench players. On Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers rested both Joel Embiid and James Harden against Miami. However, Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers' bench were able to pull off the huge upset in Philadelphia. Could the shorthanded Warriors mimic the Sixers' win and snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday night?