Game Thread: Green, Wiggins on minutes limit as Warriors open their season against Lakers

Small ball proof of concept game against one of the biggest teams in the NBA

That’s right friends, it is finally time for the Golden State Warriors to play meaningful basketball!

First up, some new information that came out of media availability after shootaround this morning. Apparently both Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green will be on a minutes limitation as the season gets underway.

Marcus Thompson @ThompsonScribe

Steve Kerr said Andrew Wiggins will be on a minutes restriction as he ramps up his conditioning. He said Draymond Green probably isn’t ready for a heavy minutes load either

But whatever, it’s going to be a fun night of Nellie ball v2021 versus whatever non-spread offense the Los Angeles Lakers have going this season.

Ben Dowsett @Ben_Dowsett

3-point shooting % of each of these players in their career: Westbrook: 30.5% Bazemore: 35.6% James: 34.5% Davis: 31.2% Jordan: 8.3%

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes

Lakers expected to go with a starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, Kent Bazemore, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and DeAndre Jordan in tonight’s season-opener against the Warriors, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/dY9yMM6r0o

Also, a quick note in case you missed it: Gary Payton II made it back to the team and will occupy that final roster spot (on a non-guaranteed deal). Remember that because of the Warriors’ roster situation, that 15th spot is a bit higher up the depth chart than 15th. We still won’t see a ton of him outside of garbage time, but he sure looked like the best available option in limited preseason run.

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

The Warriors have signed Gary Payton II into their 15th spot. He won it over the summer and with a brief preseason 12-minute explosion. He will serve as t the ball pressure defender that they lacked off the bench. Non-guaranteed, so team still has flexibility with 15th spot.