Game Thread: Bring out the Steph - Curry expected to start (Looney to the bench)

Also, no Iguodala (neck) tonight

Anyone else having trouble focusing today? Find yourself nervously refreshing and checking for updates? The Golden State Warriors are in position to closeout the series against the Denver Nuggets… or drop a second consecutive game and limp back to Denver with questions swirling.

No one wants that latter scenario, and with the returning health of Stephen Curry, it may be time for the post season’s first big adjustment: re-inserting Curry with the starting unit — and potentially jumping to their closing group as the starters at the same time.

I’m not totally sold on this change, because the old rotation with Curry coming off the bench and lining up his minutes to close quarters seemed to be working fine; but what do I know? I thought Anthony Randolph was going to become a franchise cornerstone ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

Sources: There is momentum toward the Golden State Warriors having their most lethal lineup as the starting five tonight vs. Denver in Game 5 – Stephen Curry back in, with Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. Final decision to be made today.

I’m not so sure this matters all that much, but as far as shifts go, this was one of the most obvious first steps to take. Putting Looney on the bench would also help line up his minutes against DeMarcus Cousins, who has been putting more and more pressure on the Warriors second-unit frontline. Last game, Bjelica only played around 5 minutes, and the Golden State coaches turned to guys like Andre Iguodala and Jonathan Kuminga instead; with mixed results.

However, in a late-breaking development, it looks like this will indeed happen tonight. Curry pushes back into the starting lineup, and Kevon Looney moves to the bench. Small ball, here we come!

Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews

I’m told Steph Curry is expected to return to the starting lineup tonight for Game 5. Kevon Looney will move to the bench, meaning the lethal small-ball lineup will be the starters.

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GAME DETAILS

WHO: Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets

WHEN: Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 // 7pm PDT

WATCH: TNT

Warriors lead series 3-1 over Denver

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On the injury front, we do have an unfortunate update ahead of today’s game. Looks like wily old man, Andre Iguodala will be a late scratch for this game with that same weird neck thing that held him out of game three (and maybe helped him struggle so much in game four).

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

Andre Iguodala is out for Game 5 tonight. Listed as a left cervical disc injury. Neck problem.

Let’s goooooo!