The Golden State Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday night at Chase Center.
Jimmy Butler led the way with 32 points. Stephen Curry added 27. The win pushed Golden State to 23-19 and four games over .500 for the first time this season.
But the victory came with a cost.
Gui Santos exited the game in the first quarter after rolling his left ankle following a collision with Knicks forward Josh Hart at halfcourt. Santos needed help getting up and hobbled off the court.
On Friday, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Santos will miss Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Gui Santos Ruled Out for Saturday
Santos told Kerr at halftime Thursday that he did not think the sprain was serious.
That assessment appears to be accurate. The injury is not considered bad, but it is enough to keep Santos out of the lineup for at least one game. An official timeline is expected in the coming days, though it is possible Santos could miss additional games during the Warriors’ current eight-game homestand.
Kerr addressed the loss on Friday after practice.
“It’s a big loss,” Kerr said. “The energy, the offensive rebounding but also the size. When we go to him and Gary [Payton II] we’re generally playing him at the 4 next to Draymond [Green] at the 5. He’s a rebounder, especially on the offensive side, and a great screener. But the size that he brings will be missed.”
Santos’ box-score numbers are modest. He averages 3.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game. But his impact goes beyond the stat sheet.
According to Databallr, the Warriors have outscored opponents by 8.7 points per 100 possessions in the 293 non-low-leverage minutes Santos has played this season. Golden State’s defensive rating improves by nearly seven points per 100 possessions when Santos is on the floor.
His hustle and tenacity have earned him rotation minutes from Kerr. He has even surpassed Jonathan Kuminga in the pecking order, a notable development given Kuminga’s contract and expectations entering the season.
How the Warriors Will Adjust Without Santos
Losing Santos changes the equation for Kerr and his coaching staff.
Santos provides size on the wing and in the frontcourt. At 6-foot-7 and 218 pounds, he has added significant strength and muscle since being drafted in the second round in 2022. That physicality allows him to defend multiple positions and crash the offensive glass.
Without him, the Warriors will need to adjust their rotations.
Kerr outlined two potential approaches on Friday.
“We’ve got to consider whether we’re going to play either smaller with some of our guard options or play two bigs,” Kerr said. “Maybe Quinten [Post] and Al [Horford] together. Slide Moses [Moody] over to the 4 a little bit. Those are all options without Gui.”
Playing smaller would mean relying more heavily on guards to fill minutes. That could mean more time for Brandin Podziemski or shifting Moses Moody to the four spot alongside Draymond Green at the five.
Playing bigger would mean pairing Post and Horford together in the frontcourt. That lineup would provide size and rim protection but could limit spacing and create slower offensive possessions.
Al Horford’s Recent Play Makes Two-Big Lineups More Viable
GettyJimmy Butler III and Al Horford of the Golden State Warriors react after Butler made a three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets.
If Kerr decides to go with two bigs, Al Horford has given him a reason to feel confident in that approach.
Horford has been excellent over the last two weeks. He has played in 10 of the Warriors’ last 12 games, sitting only on the second night of back-to-backs. In those 10 games, he has averaged 8.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.9% from three-point range.
The 39-year-old has blocked at least one shot in five straight games and has swatted a shot in 15 of the 23 games he has played with Golden State this season.
This is the version of Horford the Warriors expected when they made him a priority in the offseason. He stretches the floor, protects the rim, and facilitates within the offense. His passing unlocks opportunities for Butler and others to attack the basket while maintaining spacing.
“If you’re going to play two bigs today, one of them has to be able to shoot and the other has to be able to pass,” Kerr said. “With Al, you get both skills in one.”
Pairing Horford with Green gives the Warriors two great passers in the frontcourt and one reliable three-point shooter. Adding Post to that mix provides another big body without sacrificing too much on the offensive end.
Why Gui Santos’ Absence Will Be Felt
Santos appeared to have avoided a serious injury, which is the most important takeaway.
But his absence will still be felt.
In just five minutes against the Knicks before leaving with the injury, Santos made his only shot attempt—a three-pointer—grabbed a rebound, and blocked a shot. After a slow start shooting the ball, he is now converting 36.2% of his three-point attempts this season.
It is the small things that do not always show up in the box score where Santos makes his biggest impact. Since being a healthy DNP-CD in two straight games around Christmas, Santos has played in each of the Warriors’ last 10 games. In the nine straight games he played before the injury, he posted a positive plus-minus in seven games and was a plus-64 in total.
Those contributions are difficult to replace. Whether Kerr goes smaller or bigger, the Warriors will need others to step up in Santos’ absence.
Final Word for the Warriors
Gui Santos will miss Saturday’s game against the Hornets.
The injury does not appear to be serious, but losing a rotation player who has been productive over the last month creates a challenge for Steve Kerr and his coaching staff. Santos provides size, energy, and defensive impact that cannot be easily replicated.
The Warriors will adjust. They have depth and options. But Santos has earned his role through consistent effort and smart play, and his absence will be noticeable while he recovers.
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