2 min read • April 20, 2023
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This fast-paced series has plenty of injuries to speak of, including a minor chest injury to Kings’ big Domantas Sabonis that he suffered in the Game 2 altercation with Draymond Green.
The Warriors are down 2-0 in a playoff series for the first time since 2007 and will have to climb out of the hole without Green, who was suspended for Game 3.
Sacramento has been fairly healthy all season, part of the reason they reached their first postseason since 2006.
Sabonis is questionable for Game 3 with a sternum contusion he suffered when Green planted and jumped off of him. The Gonzaga grad underwent X-rays after Game 2.
He is dealing with a bruised sternum which likely won’t limit his activity in Game 3, according to the Pro Basketball Docs.
His chest might be painful on certain impacts, but it’s a pain tolerance issue that can be played through.
Sabonis has averaged 18 points and 12.5 rebounds on 44.8% shooting from the field in the series.
The only other injury concern for the Kings is Matthew Dellavedova, who is recovering from surgery he underwent on his right index finger in April.
Golden State will be without Green in the playoffs for the first time since his 2016 suspension and also have other injury concerns.
Recent returnee Andrew Wiggins is listed as questionable with right shoulder soreness along with Jordan Poole (left ankle sprain) and Gary Payton II (illness).
The Pro Basketball Docs expect all three to play, but that doesn’t mean they will be 100%.
Poole played Monday but was once again a liability on defense. Payton, who has been relied on heavily since returning from his abdominal injury, is a high-energy player who may have to play shorter stints because of the illness.
While the severity of Wiggins’ shoulder injury is not immediately clear, it’s not ideal the injury is to his shooting side.
Golden State is also down veteran Andre Iguodala as he recovers from thumb surgery. He appeared in just eight games during the regular season.
The Warriors are favored by 6 points at home in Game 3 and the over/under is 240, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Golden State is +146 to win the series while the Kings are -174.
If the Warriors can climb out of the 0-2 hole, they would be the first team to do so since the Cavs came back to beat the Celtics in the 2018 Eastern Conference finals. Historically, teams are just above 7% when trailing 0-2 in a series.
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