Warriors Announce Bold Lineup Decision vs. Clippers Amid Steph Curry Injury Scare

The Golden State Warriors travel to Inglewood to take on the L.A. Clippers in the 2025-26 NBA regular season finale. 

Golden State is coming off a lowly loss to the (tanking) Sacramento Kings on Friday night. 

Star point guard Stephen Curry was still on a minutes restriction, but he played the most minutes since returning from a 27-game absence. Curry, 38, was sidelined over two months with runner’s knee. The injury has clearly marred his and the Warriors’ season.

Tonight, the Warriors take on a Clippers team that has slightly dropped some velocity after a scorching midseason turnaround. 

Los Angeles will be without star forward Kawhi Leonard, which is good news for Golden State. The 34-year-old Clippers star has seen a resurgence in his 15th NBA season. Facing years of constant criticism over his durability, Leonard finally pieced together a healthier campaign, playing in 65 games, which is only the second time since 2018 he’s appeared in as many tilts. 

The Warriors have the play-in tournament on their mind, so tonight’s game won’t mean a ton win or lose. But going out, executing and picking up a win would be a clear confidence booster. 

After all, it’s possible both teams will meet again in a few days.

Golden State Warriors Announce Starting Lineup for Tonight’s Game 

Here we go. Game 82 of the regular season is upon the NBA. Just like that, this marathon has come to an end. 

Playoff teams are resting, play-in teams are hoping and tanking teams are offseason-bound. 

Golden State falls in the middle bracket. Over the coming week, the Warriors must win two single-elimination games to set up a date with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Dubs must trend in the right direction starting tonight if they want to give themselves a chance. 

In tonight’s battle with the Clippers, the Warriors are rolling out a bit of a different starting five. 

• Stephen Curry
• Brandin Podziemski
• De’Anthony Melton
• Kristaps Porzingis
• Al Horford

Golden State has ruled out Draymond Green with a lower back injury management.

A Golden Opportunity to Pick Up Steam

In Friday’s loss to the Kings, the Dubs finally saw the trio of Curry, Porzingis and Horford on the floor. 

Porzingis was acquired at the trade deadline but wasn’t able to play alongside Curry until much later. Like Curry, Horford has also seen an injury-ravaged season. 

The trio was predictably out of sync Friday. It was their first time taking the court, and with each of the three battling injuries this season, it was almost certain they’d need at least a few games to develop a semblance of chemistry. 

Plus, all three are on the older side. They can’t snap their fingers and start playing off one another right away.

Tonight, however, they have another opportunity to figure out how to play with one another. With Curry and Porzingins’ pick-and-roll potential and Horford’s been-there-done-that kind of approach, the Warriors can be formidable with these three in the lineup.

Against the Clippers, Curry will remain on minutes restriction, but his limit has gradually been softened over the last few games. Head coach Steve Kerr could play him up to 30 minutes. 

Winning tonight would be an ideal way to enter Wednesday’s do-or-die game.

Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Intuit Dome. 

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