Mandy
The Golden State Warriors will be short-handed as they close out their six-game road stretch on Wednesday night, with several major players ruled out for their matchup against the Miami Heat.
Among them are Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, leaving both sides missing star power in the final game of Golden State’s demanding trip.
Curry Sidelined With Ankle Soreness
Stephen Curry, the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader, will sit out due to right ankle soreness. The issue began in Friday’s contest against San Antonio and flared again during Tuesday’s game in Orlando.
Although Curry continued to play in both appearances, the Warriors have opted to rest him before returning home.
The Warriors enter Wednesday’s game with a 3–2 record on the six-game, nine-day journey, making it one of the most intense stretches of their early season.
Several Key Warriors And Heat Players Also Out
The injury report extends beyond Curry.
For Golden State:
- Draymond Green (illness)
- Al Horford (left toe injury management)
- Jonathan Kuminga (knee tendinitis)
On the Miami side, Jimmy Butler (back) was ruled out after what would have been his second appearance in Miami since last season’s trade.
Buddy Hield, initially questionable with an illness, was ultimately cleared to play.
Hope For Returns On Friday
The Warriors remain optimistic that Curry, Green, Horford, and Butler will be available when Golden State hosts Portland on Friday. All players are listed as day-to-day.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed the challenges of navigating such a tight schedule, noting that the team has not practiced once during the trip due to continuous back-to-back game preparation.
Kerr Calls For A More Manageable NBA Schedule
Kerr has frequently voiced support for a reduced 72-game NBA season to prioritize player health and product quality.
He acknowledged the league’s efforts to remove punishing streaks like four games in five nights but argued that the current every-other-day structure still limits rest and practice time, increasing physical strain.
This road trip has highlighted the issue:
- 17 games in 30 days,
- 12 games away from home, both topping league totals at this point in the season.
In comparison, Toronto played its 10th road game, while New York was only on its fifth as of Wednesday.
Warriors Return Home For Five-Game Stand
After finishing the game in Miami and traveling home, Golden State will kick off a five-game homestand, offering much-needed recovery and time to regroup.
The Golden State Warriors face the Miami Heat without several top contributors, including Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, as they conclude a difficult road trip.
With grueling scheduling, mounting fatigue, and limited practice opportunities, the Warriors aim to refocus and return healthier before hosting Portland at home later in the week.