Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 2/3/23: Warriors believe Draymond Green’s calf injury is ‘minor’ after late scratch on Thursday

Good Morning Dub Nation,

What began as a promising start for the Golden State Warriors’ three-game road trip, ended with back-to-back losses culminating in the team’s 134-117 defeat against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. The Warriors were expected to be undermanned going into the game, considering it was the second night of a back-to-back and the fact that they just played an overtime game less than 24 hours prior. However, the coaching staff deemed the game necessary enough to roll out their veterans anyways.

At least, that was the plan until the Warriors’ Draymond Green was declared a late scratch right before tip-off as the team said he was experiencing calf tightness. After the game, head coach Steve Kerr called Green’s injury “something minor”, but also says he will get it checked out once they return to the Bay Area.

As for the game itself, the Warriors performed admirably in the first half, trailing the best team in the Western Conference by just one point at halftime thanks to their hot shooting from deep. However, it proved to be unsustainable in the second half, and particularly late in the third quarter as Denver went on a 20-6 run after the game was tied at 85 apiece. The Warriors never recovered and would go on to lose the game, however, Kerr praised the effort he saw from his bench unit.

After winning their first game of this road trip on Monday, Golden State was fifth in the Western Conference standings and two games above .500. Thursday’s loss brings the Warriors right back to .500 in what has become a familiar trend for the team throughout this season.

Despite the mediocre record, All-Star point guard Stephen Curry, who finished the night with a team-leading 28 points in 33 minutes of play, remains mostly optimistic for the Warriors’ big picture goals this season.

Golden State will now head back to San Francisco as they prepare for a two game home-stand beginning with a Saturday night primetime matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• The curious and rapid decline of the Third-Quarter Warriors
• Warriors run out of steam in blowout loss to Nuggets
• Steph Curry is the Warriors lone All-Star representative
• NBA Trade Deadline 2023: What to expect from the Warriors
• Steve Kerr feels Warriors ‘got what we deserved’ in OT loss

Other Warriors News:

• Warriors’ latest up-and-down road trip marred by more what-ifs (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• James Wiseman, Warriors bench praised by Steve Kerr after loss to Nuggets (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Warriors hope Draymond Green’s injury is ‘minor’ (The Mercury News)
• Lowe’s 10 things: Waiting on the Warriors, Boston’s two identities and Maxey’s defense (ESPN)
• Draymond Green is the Warrior dynasty’s last line of defense (SB Nation)

NBA News:

• 2023 NBA All-Star reserves revealed (NBA)
• Luka Doncic leaves Mavs’ win with bruised heel after fall (ESPN)
• Donovan Mitchell, Dillon Brooks ejected after brawl breaks out in Cavaliers win over Grizzlies (Yahoo Sports)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo gets a little defensive help from his friends as Bucks squeak past Clippers (The Athletic)
• Ja Morant’s ready to lead the next generation of Nike Basketball (Andscape)

A tweet to end the week:

Here is a special tweet from the Warriors honoring the start of Black History Month. Enjoy the weekend Dub Nation!