It is a heavyweight clash at the Chase Center tonight! The Golden State Warriors are up against the Denver Nuggets. Golden State is in red-hot form entering this matchup, riding a four-game winning streak. Their most recent win came against the Lakers. Stephen Curry and Co. got the better of LA, defeating them 123-116. Chef Curry shined on the night as the veteran backed up his 52-point performance against the Grizzlies by scoring 37 points last night. Sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski chipped in another 28 points to ensure the Warriors got the dub against LA.
This win took Golden State further away from the play-in tournament. Now, the Warriors are 0.5 games ahead of the Timberwolves, who are the 6th seed. However, the Dubs cannot get too complacent with just a few games to play in the regular season. So, getting a win tonight against Denver is a must for Golden State. However, they have been terrible against Denver recently, losing eight straight games against the Mile High City team. With the dubs playing in back-to-back games, will Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler be available?
Golden State Warriors injury report ahead of the battle with Denver
The stage is set for a star-studded affair at the Chase Center. While the Nuggets rested their starters on the second night of a back-to-back against the Spurs, the Warriors did not have this luxury. So, fatigue might play a vital role in this clash. This also raises questions over veterans Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Will the duo suit up against the Nuggets? We’ll start with Curry. Well, the Warriors’ franchise player has struggled with pelvis and knee injuries this season. He’s even missed several games due to the same. However, there’s good news for the Dubs faithful, as Stephen Curry is available for tonight’s massive matchup.
This is a massive boost for the Warriors simply because they struggle without the superstar. So much so, that Golden State have a terrible 7-5 record without Curry this season. Moreover, Curry is in spectacular scoring form lately. He’s averaging 24.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season. While the dubs nation will take a sigh of relief after hearing about Curry’s fitness, what about Jimmy Butler? Well, the Warriors’ other superstar is also fit and will be playing against Denver tonight. The 35-year-old has been sensational since his arrival in the Bay Area and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon!
Feb 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) is congratulated by guard Stephen Curry (30) after a basket against the Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Butler is averaging 17.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the 24 games he’s played for the Dubs. Having Butler will help the Warriors big time! Especially because Jimmy Buckets thrives against Denver, his average goes up to 19.8 points while playing against the Nuggets. So, he’ll be a great addition for tonight’s clash. However, the Warriors won’t be at their full strength heading into this back-to-back matchup. Why? You might wonder. Unfortunately, they’ll be without their defensive stopper, Gary Payton II. The 32-year-old shooting guard is struggling with a devastating thumb injury and will be out for some time.
But the good news is that Payton II is reported to have been making good progress. Although he might not play tonight’s intense game, he’s set to return to the court very soon. So Warriors HC Steve Kerr will have a majority of his superstars available for this clash. Given their record against Denver, it’s great news. However, how he uses the likes of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green tonight will be a key factor in deciding the game’s outcome. What will be Kerr’s approach as we head close to the tip off at the Chase Center?
How can the Warriors starting five look?
The Warriors’ faithful will be happy to know that Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are set to play tonight. However, what about the others? Who will be the rest of the starters? Steve Kerr and his men will have only one goal tonight: victory. They will look to break the embarrassing eight-game losing streak against the Nuggets tonight. If they need to succeed, players such as youngster Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody will have to play with a chip on the shoulder. Both have been having solid campaigns, and they’ll need to keep that up tonight when they enter the court.
So, here’s how the Warriors could start:
Position
Starter
PG
Stephen Curry
SG
Brandin Podziemski
SF
Moses Moody
PF
Jimmy Butler
C
Draymond Green
Overall, this will be an intense game. Both teams are having solid campaigns and have star-studded lineups. It will be a duel between two in-form superstars as Nikola Jokic will take on Stephen Curry. But the question is, who will come out on top at the Chase Center tonight? Well, it’s not a simple question to answer. However, one thing is for sure. It will be a great watch for the fans. So, we all will be watching this battle closely as the ball hits the air tonight in San Francisco.
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