Warriors forward Nemanja Bjelica ruled out against Nets
The Warriors will have just 10 players available as back spasms have ruled out Nemanja Bjelica against the Nets.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors are down to just 10 players available Saturday night against the Brooklyn Nets.
Forward Nemanja Bjelica was ruled out with back spasms. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that Bjelica’s status is day-to-day.
Bjelica’s absence on Saturday will likely lead to increased minutes for Jonathan Kuminga, Kerr said.
“We’ll have only 10 guys available with Moses (Moody) and Cheese (Chris Chiozza), in Austin,” Kerr said. “That means (Kuminga) and Juan (Toscano-Anderson) will both get plenty of opportunities and everybody will have to be ready.”
At 23-4, the Warriors have the best home record in the league. Kerr said playing at home has been a major key to a successful season.
“Dominate your home floor, if you are a good team and try and go .500 on the road, maybe a little bit better than .500 and that’s a recipe for a 55 plus win season,” Kerr said. “(There’s) a long way to go, but we are on schedule to do that.”
Iguodala to miss upcoming road trip
Andre Iguodala will also not travel with the team to Houston on Sunday.
He will stay in the Bay Area to receive treatment for a lingering hip injury, Kerr said. Iguodala will not play back-to-back games this season.
The Warriors will face the Rockets at 5 p.m. on Monday in Houston, then they face the Spurs at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Durant’s debut at Chase Center delayed
Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn debut in front of Warriors fans at Chase Center will have to wait until next season, as the All-Star forward is healing from an MCL sprain that he suffered midway through the second quarter Jan. 15 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Durant is expected to return to the Nets’ lineup after 4-6 weeks of rehab.