Warriors vs. Nuggets Thursday NBA injury report, spread, odds: Draymond Green out, Jordan Poole cleared, but Denver COVID outbreak may lead to postponement
Thursday's Golden State at Denver NBA matchup is in jeopardy.
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There was one NBA game postponed this week despite the relaxed COVID protocols – Heat at Spurs on Wednesday, in part due to Miami injuries – and there could be another postponed tonight with Warriors at Nuggets in jeopardy because Denver might not have the requisite eight healthy players due to injury and a COVID outbreak on the team. The Warriors are currently 5.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook. Click here for model picks.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone and two of his assistants, forwards Jeff Green and Zeke Nnaji and guard Bones Hyland entered the league's protocols Thursday. If just those three players were out, it wouldn't be a concern regarding having the minimum eight players, but Monte Morris, Aaron Gordon, Austin Rivers and Vlatko Cancar are all questionable with injuries. Only Rivers played in Tuesday's 89-86 upset win at Golden State. Assistant David Adelman would be the interim head coach.
If this game is played, the Dubs will be without All-Star forward Draymond Green as he remains in protocols. Green was sorely missed in Tuesday's loss in what was the Warriors' lowest-scoring game of the season. Golden State had just 36 points at the half and was down 24 yet eventually tied it at 84-all. However, Denver's Nikola Jokic blocked a potential game-tying shot by Jonathan Kuminga in the final seconds. Jokic had 22 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, four steals and that one block. Golden State fell to 14-1 this season when holding its opponent to under 100 points.
Steph Curry became the first player to make 3,000 career three-point shots and also extended his streak with at least one to 157 games, tying his own league record. Andrew Wiggins had 21 points in his first game back from the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Golden State was without third-leading scorer Jordan Poole (17.9) due to protocols, but he has cleared those and would play tonight. He has been out since Dec. 14 so perhaps Poole will be on a bit of a minutes limit. Fourth-leading scorer Damion Lee (8.4 ppg) remains in protocols.
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