The injuries keep stacking for the Golden State Warriors, and this one feels like adding insult to injury. Stephen Curry is out. Draymond Green is out. Jimmy Butler is also out. And now Jonathan Kuminga is out with a back injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as first reported by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. A matchup built around stars turns into a test of depth, poise, and improvisation. The lights stay bright. The available names keep shrinking.
Stephen Curry’s absence removes scoring gravity and late-game control. Draymond Green’s absence removes the defensive heartbeat and emotional edge. Kuminga’s absence removes downhill force and length from a roster that has already missed him for long stretches this season. Butler’s absence removes the Warriors’ most explosive wing and primary two-way closer. That is a lot of responsibility off the floor. The Warriors are 18–16, eighth in the West, and on a two-game winning streak. The season has been up and down, with lineups changing and roles shifting almost weekly. Rhythm appeared again. Now, adversity replaces it. Across from them, the Thunder are 29–5, winners of three straight, and still the West’s No. 1 seed.
How the Warriors adjust now
With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Jonathan Kuminga out, everything simplifies — but it also becomes harder. As a result, Brandin Podziemski must steady the offense, create advantages, and stay aggressive. In turn, younger role players step into bigger minutes. From there, the game plan leans on ball movement, discipline, and defense by committee. Coaching matters. Even more, composure matters.
Meanwhile, the Thunder will pressure the ball and punish mistakes in transition. Because of that, the Warriors must slow the tempo, protect the glass, and avoid frustration fouls. The formula is clear. However, the execution — shorthanded — is the battle.
So, under the arena lights, the question lingers for this up-and-down Warriors season: without four core players, can pride and resilience be enough against the West’s best?
