The Warriors were shorthanded Friday, and it showed.
Golden State played without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green in a 131-94 lopsided home loss to the Thunder. Green was rested, Curry sat out after tweaking his left ankle late in Wednesday’s win at Charlotte, and Butler was a late scratch due to illness.
Curry described the ankle issue as a “little blast from the past,” a nod to the early-career ankle injuries that once threatened his availability, but indicated he expects to be fine. Team officials said Butler woke up Friday morning feeling under the weather.
Jonathan Kuminga was also ruled out ahead of tipoff with lower back soreness.
The game marked the front end of a home back-to-back following a road swing through Toronto, Brooklyn, and Charlotte. The Warriors host Utah on Saturday and are hopeful Curry, Butler, and Green will be available.
Friday’s matchup aired on Prime Video, placing it under the NBA’s player participation policy for nationally televised games. Curry and Butler qualify under the league’s criteria as recent All-Stars, though the Warriors maintain both absences were legitimate.
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