NBA Notes: Warriors, Stephen Curry, Pelicans, CJ McCollum, Grizzlies

Warriors

The Warriors are in a bit of a bind here, no question about it. Missing Stephen Curry for a third straight game is a challenge in itself, but throw De’Anthony Melton’s absence into the mix, and suddenly Golden State’s guard rotation looks thin.

Curry’s left peroneal strain, suffered late against the Clippers on Oct. 27, forced him out in the fourth quarter—and as we all know, the Warriors’ offensive engine just isn’t the same without him.

Melton, meanwhile, is dealing with a back strain, and that’s tricky. He battled similar issues last season, and Steve Kerr has indicated they’re taking a cautious approach, given his history. Melton’s defensive prowess and versatility are tough to replace, so Golden State is likely weighing the long-term picture here.

Now, Andrew Wiggins is considered probable for Saturday’s game in Houston, and the Warriors could use his two-way play to stabilize things. But he’s also managing a lower back issue, so that’s another question mark heading into this one.

Pelicans

The Pelicans are dealing with a significant early-season hurdle here, folks. Losing both CJ McCollum and Herb Jones for a stretch really disrupts what they’re trying to build on the court.

McCollum’s injury—a right adductor strain—is expected to keep him sidelined for two to three weeks. And you have to figure that’s a worst-case scenario New Orleans can’t afford. He’s been delivering on offense, averaging 18.8 points while keeping things steady with his playmaking. Missing his experience and scoring touch will be no small issue.

Then there’s Herb Jones. Not the flashiest guy, sure, but a critical defensive anchor for the Pelicans. A right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tear will keep him out for two to four weeks, and losing his gritty, hard-nosed defense just throws another wrench into the mix. He’s the type of player who doesn’t light up the box score (6.8 points per game), but he takes on the tough assignments, night in and night out.

So, what’s next? Well, you’re looking at Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson carrying even more of the load. We’ll probably see young guys like Dyson Daniels and Jordan Hawkins get bumped up into larger roles, which could be a good test of depth. But make no mistake—this is a stretch that could tell us a lot about New Orleans and how they handle adversity. With two key pieces out, they’ll be tested in ways they probably didn’t plan for this early.

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are facing a real uphill battle as injuries have started to pile up, impacting both sides of the ball. The team just announced some critical updates on Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Cam Spencer, and Vince Williams Jr.—all sidelined with various injuries. This could be a major setback for a team that depends on its gritty, defensive style and depth to compete in the stacked Western Conference.

Starting with Desmond Bane, Memphis confirmed he’s dealing with a right oblique strain, suffered in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets on October 30. He’s now week-to-week, and his absence hits hard. Bane isn’t just their top scorer; he’s the focal point of their offense. Without his shooting and ability to spread the floor, the Grizzlies may struggle to get the same flow in their offense.

Then there’s Marcus Smart. The defensive stalwart went down in the first quarter of that same game with a right ankle sprain. He’s also listed as week-to-week. Smart was brought in to replace Dillon Brooks’ toughness and add a veteran presence to the Grizzlies’ lineup. His injury puts more pressure on Memphis’ backcourt, particularly for guys like Luke Kennard and Tyus Jones, who may have to pick up some of the defensive slack.

On the longer-term end of things, Cam Spencer remains out as he recovers from a right ankle sprain and a talar stress reaction. He’s due for a re-evaluation in three weeks, so the Grizzlies won’t be counting on him anytime soon. Meanwhile, Vince Williams Jr. is also progressing from a stress reaction in his left tibia and is expected to return within two to four weeks. Any return to action would help lighten the load on a roster that’s now stretched thin.

The bottom line here? The Grizzlies are staring down a tough stretch without some key contributors. With Bane and Smart out week-to-week, Memphis will need everyone to step up and hold the line.