With Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely, Warriors coach Steve Kerr revealed his potential starting lineup for opening night of the regular season.
Kerr said he’s “leaning toward” starting Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg and Gui Santos.
Al Horford, who turned 40 in June, could be a potential starter, but Kerr said he’s leaning against that option.
“Al could be in there, but just given where he is minutes-wise per game, if the guy is going to play 20 [minutes], which is probably the limit or where we’d like him to average, it’s just a lot easier to bring him off the bench,” Kerr told reporters Monday.
“I also like the idea of having Draymond or Al on the court as often as possible to anchor our defense, so, yeah, I’m leaning that way.”
Porzingis has missed the Warriors’ entire preseason due to an undisclosed private health issue. Kerr said Porzingis will meet with Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, on Tuesday to figure out next steps.
It remains unclear when Porzingis will return.
“All of that will be determined once we get him back here and have discussions and figure out where he is and all that stuff,” Kerr said.
Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are expected to remain sidelined with injuries for the first few months of the season.
So, when it comes to the Warriors’ starting lineup, Santos could get a big opportunity. The 24-year-old forward started in 30 games for the Warriors last season and averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocked shots per game.
Santos, whom Golden State selected with the 55th pick in the 2022 draft, has been a success story for the franchise. The Warriors signed him to a three-year, $15 million extension in February.
The Warriors open the regular season against the Lakers on Oct. 21 at Crypto.com Arena.
