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The Golden State Warriors will have a short bench for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets. According to a report from Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of The Athletic, Golden State will be without James Wiseman and Eric Paschall, who both have to be sidelined due to the league’s health and safety protocol, after contact tracing connected them to someone with the coronavirus.
In addition to the two players, some members of the Warriors developmental and coaching staffs will also have to be away from the team for the game.
Contact tracing. A few of the Warriors' assistant coaches on the developmental staff will be entering health and safety protocols as well. Rough time for the Warriors to lose Wiseman and Paschall, just as they were prioritizing developmental minutes. https://t.co/oTJ66WHViH
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 17, 2021
It’s a rough hit to the bench, as both Wiseman and Paschall had become key members of the second unit, along with fellow youngsters Jordan Poole and Nico Mannion. Wiseman in particular has been playing excellent basketball over the last few games.
The Warriors, however, will get no sympathy from the Rockets, a team that has been absolutely ravaged by injuries and absences all season long.