Unexpected Warriors Depth Tested as Steph Curry and Starters Sit Out Key Preseason Clash with Lakers

The upcoming preseason matchup between the Warriors and the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena just got a bit more intriguing—and not necessarily for the reasons you might expect. Coach Steve Kerr dropped some surprising news on Saturday: Golden State’s lineup will be missing several key contributors, including Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, and Moses Moody. While Butler’s absence comes with a silver lining, given it’s an excused leave for a positive reason, Curry’s “banged up” status has fans biting their nails, even though the plan is for him to suit up against the Trail Blazers later this week. Meanwhile, Moody’s sidelined with a calf issue, prompting an MRI, and Horford, fresh off a promising debut, will also be out. So, who steps up? Podziemski, Hield, Kuminga, Green, and Post will have to shoulder the load as the Warriors’ depth is put to an early test this preseason. Basketball aficionados, brace yourselves—it’s shaping up to be a fascinating exercise in resilience and team grit. LEARN MORE

The Warriors will be without several starters for their third game of the 2025 NBA preseason.

Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford and Moses Moody all will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, coach Steve Kerr told reporters Saturday (h/t ESPN’s Anthony Slater).

Kerr already had informed media members on Friday that Butler would be away for Sunday’s game as an excused absence, stating the reason was positive.

Meanwhile, Kerr said Curry is “banged up,” but the plan is for him to play Tuesday against the Trail Blazers in Portland.

Horford made his unofficial Warriors debut in Golden State’s preseason opener last Sunday, finishing with three points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. He was a plus-13 in 14 minutes.

Moody, after leading the Warriors with 19 points and five 3-pointers last Sunday, will miss the game in Los Angeles due to a calf issue. Kerr said Moody will undergo an MRI later Saturday, but the team believes it is minor.

The Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Quinten Post.

Strength in numbers will be tested early this season.

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