The Golden State Warriors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, with both teams dealing with lengthy injury lists ahead of their first meeting of the season.
Golden State enters at 11-12 and attempts to halt a two-game slide after falling 98-99 at Philadelphia on December 4. The group also absorbed a 112-124 defeat at Oklahoma City on December 2.
Cleveland holds a 14-10 record and looks to rebound from a 110-122 setback against Portland on December 3. The club previously secured a 135-119 road win at Indiana on December 1.
The Warriors’ injury report lists six rotation players, including Stephen Curry, who remains out with a left quadriceps contusion.
The absence removes a 27.9-point scorer who leads the roster in field goal attempts and three-point volume while shaping the offense’s spacing structure.
Jimmy Butler is questionable due to left knee injury management after averaging 19.5 points and 5.6 rebounds through 20 appearances. Draymond Green is also questionable with a right midfoot sprain, and any limitations for him impact Golden State’s defensive coverages and secondary playmaking.
Seth Curry is questionable with right toe soreness, while De’Anthony Melton remains on the report as he manages a left knee issue. Al Horford is out with right sciatic nerve irritation, leaving the Warriors without a key veteran big who provides positional versatility and floor spacing.
Cleveland’s injury list features six players ruled out, including Jarrett Allen, sidelined by a right third-finger strain. The Cavaliers lose a 14.3-point interior finisher who contributes 7.6 rebounds per game and operates as the anchor of their drop coverage.
Lonzo Ball is out for left knee injury management, continuing an extended ramp-up process. Sam Merrill remains out with a right hand sprain, removing a 44.4 percent three-point shooter from Cleveland’s perimeter rotation.
Larry Nance Jr. is unavailable with a right calf strain, while Max Strus remains out after left foot surgery for a Jones fracture. Tyrese Proctor is also absent due to personal reasons.
Cleveland leans heavily on Mitchell’s 30.6 points per game and Mobley’s 19.0-point, 9.1-rebound production to stabilize their attack.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Rocket Arena.
