Overview
- The NBA listed Draymond Green as questionable on Friday with right elbow inflammation and soreness for Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic.
- Gary Payton II and Gui Santos were also listed as questionable on the same report and Santos practiced Friday and was described as feeling better.
- Green serves as Golden State’s defensive organizer and has often been used as a makeshift center, so his absence would force Al Horford and Charles Bassey to take on heavier interior responsibilities.
- The Warriors enter the matchup on a six-game winning streak after a 0-3 start and are already without long-term absentees such as Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis, raising pressure on the bench.
- Orlando arrives short-handed too, with Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac ruled out, and coach Steve Kerr may increase minutes for role players like De’Anthony Melton and Brandon Williams if more starters are unavailable.