The Golden State Warriors were hit hard by injuries once again on Saturday night, with head coach Steve Kerr confirming that Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, De’Anthony Melton, Seth Curry, and Al Horford were all ruled out for their road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Speaking before tip-off, Kerr delivered the latest on his two biggest stars. Draymond Green aggravated his right midfoot sprain during Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and left the arena in a walking boot after undergoing an MRI. Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, missed his third straight game as the team continues to manage a lingering left knee issue.
Despite the grim outlook, Kerr offered a sliver of hope for Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
“I’m optimistic, but I’m not sure yet,” Kerr said, adding that final decisions on Green and Butler will come after further evaluation from head athletic trainer Rick Celebrini.
On a brighter note, Stephen Curry remains on track to return next Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves as he progresses through rehab for his quad injury.
Entering Saturday’s game with an 11-12 record and sitting eighth in the Western Conference, the Warriors are in the midst of a frustrating 2025-26 season marked by inconsistent offense and a rash of injuries that have disrupted any chance of continuity. The absences of Green (8.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.5 APG) and Butler (19.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.0 APG in 20 games) have been especially costly, robbing Golden State of the defensive intensity and two-way versatility that define their identity.
With the Bulls up next on a back-to-back, the Warriors are desperately hoping to get at least one—if not both—of their veteran leaders back on the floor to steady a season that’s quickly slipping into chaos.