The Golden State Warriors are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, and in a twist of fate, Gui Santos will be making his fourth career start due to a slew of injuries and absences among the team’s key players. Santos, joined by teammates Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, and Quinten Post, will have a chance to shine as the Warriors navigate a challenging line-up.
The Warriors find themselves without their core trio: Stephen Curry is sidelined with an ankle injury, Jimmy Butler is out due to illness, and Draymond Green is resting. Additionally, De’Anthony Melton is managing a knee issue, while Seth Curry is dealing with sciatica. Compounding the situation, Jonathan Kuminga has also been listed as out with lower back soreness, leaving the Warriors with just ten players available for the game.
Despite the circumstances, there’s optimism surrounding Santos, who is coming off one of his best performances, scoring 15 points with impressive shooting stats against the Charlotte Hornets. His positive contributions continued to show in the box score, as he recorded five rebounds, two assists, a block, and importantly, no turnovers, while maintaining a plus-15 rating in that game. Over the last twelve games, he has been a standout performer, leading the team with a plus-minus of plus-59.
Standing at 6’7″, Santos has proven to be a modern-day stretch 4, adept at holding his own defensively against larger players. His skill set has raised questions as to why coach Steve Kerr has previously limited his playing time in favor of smaller power forwards. With the current roster challenges, Santos is now poised to earn significant minutes, a chance he is well-prepared for.
In addition, Podziemski has emerged as a crucial component for the Warriors. Surprisingly, he is currently the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game. With the absence of vital offensive players, Podziemski’s performance will be pivotal. He recently demonstrated his capability by scoring 19 points against the Hornets, and the Warriors will likely need him to replicate or surpass his career-high of 29 points to maintain competitive pressure against the Thunder.
Moreover, fans can expect the Warriors to adopt an extended double-big lineup strategy, with Al Horford playing the power forward position alongside either Trayce Jackson-Davis or Quinten Post in the center. This adjustment, necessitated by the thin roster, not only ensures a more robust front line but also aims to mitigate the Thunder’s potential rebounding edge, a critical factor in this matchup.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the Warriors hold the potential for a strong performance, showcasing the depth and adaptability of their roster. As the team gears up to face Oklahoma City, these unique opportunities could pave the way for a spirited game, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the NBA.