Warriors vs. Pacers: The post-WCS era begins

The Golden State Warriors host the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. PT on NBA TV and NBC Sports Bay Area, so hey, let’s check the Warriors promo for the game, shall we?

Ooooh, that’s awkward. That’s like that Instagram picture you post with your significant other the morning that you two break up.

Willie Cauley-Stein, star of the Warriors aptly-titled social media short film, GAME DAY, is no longer with the Warriors. On Friday afternoon, he was predictably traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

Between the trade, and Jacob Evans III being on a G League assignment, the Warriors will be a little bit short handed.

So it won’t be an easy game for D’Angelo Russell, Draymond Green, and the rest of the crew. Also, there’s the fact that the Warriors are 10-36 with the worst net rating in the league, and the Pacers are 29-16 with the 11th-best net rating in the league. So that could make things a bit more of a challenge.

Indiana is a heck of a team, even with two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo still sidelined. Domantas Sabonis has been spectacular, and will almost surely be representing the East in the All-Star Game. Malcolm Brogdon could make the All-Star team as well, and Myles Turner is one of the games best young defenders.

They’re good. The Warriors are not.

If I were a betting man, that will be the difference in this game.