D’Angelo Russell to return on Sunday

Golden State Warriors All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell is set to return to the court. While the 23-year old will miss Friday’s contest against the Los Angeles Clippers, he is expected to suit up on Sunday when the team heads south to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Friday will mark the sixth consecutive game that Russell has missed, all the result of a shoulder contusion suffered in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on December 28.

It’s been an injury-filled year for Russell, who is averaging 23.2 points and 6.0 assists per game. Earlier in the season he injured his finger, which kept him out for three games. A few weeks later he suffered an ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for nine games.

The Warriors are playing their 40th game of the season tonight, and their key offseason acquisition has appeared in just 22 of them. Needless to say, his return to the lineup gives Golden State a strong infusion of talent, not to mention energy and leadership.

In other roster news, undrafted rookie Ky Bowman will travel with the team to Memphis, where he will meet up with the organization’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. Bowman - who is nearly out of days on his two-way contract - will likely spend a good chunk of time in the G League. The Warriors need to clear space, or wait until March if they want to convert his contract to a roster spot.

The Warriors have been struck by injuries all year long, but their road trip will at least have a well-stocked bench, even if some of those players are in suits rather than jerseys. Steph Curry and Kevon Looney are traveling with the team, and second-round pick Alen Smailagic is sticking around for a while, too.

If nothing else, it’s good to see most of the gang together.