The Golden State Warriors suffered a humiliating loss in Boston on Monday. The Celtics completely decimated the Warriors defense and blew them out by 52 points in a 140-88 win. The Warriors’ 52-point loss was their worst loss in franchise history when Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green started the game. Stephen Curry and Co. are looking to put their humiliating loss in the rear-view mirror as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks tonight.
Fortunately, Andrew Wiggins and rookie Brandin Podziemski will be available to play against the Bucks after missing recent games. Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr revealed that Podziemski and Wiggins will return to the starting lineup tonight. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga will start the game alongside the returning duo. That means Klay Thompson and Moses Moody have been shifted back to their bench role following Wiggins and Podziemski’s return.
Steve Kerr said Andrew Wiggins and Brandin Podziemski will return to starting lineup.
Steph Curry. Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green the other starters.
— KNBR (@KNBR) March 7, 2024
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Brandin Podziemski had been out for the last two games due to a knee injury. He has had a solid rookie season with the Warriors, averaging 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Steve Kerr recently replaced Klay with Podziemski in the starting lineup after witnessing the rookie’s impressive growth. Andrew Wiggins had also been out of action for the last four games due to an ongoing family matter. Wiggins has been a regular in the Warriors starting lineup this season, starting the game in 40 of his 51 appearances. After Podziemski and Wiggins return to the lineup, the Warriors will head into tonight’s game with a completely healthy roster for the first time since last November.
Klay Thompson returns to his bench role
Steve Kerr made a tough decision before the All-Star break as he moved Klay Thomspon to the bench for the first time since 2012. While the change was a downgrade for the aging superstar, Klay accepted his new role and thrived in it. Klay had a huge impact coming off the bench and even improved his shooting percentage. As Klay adjusted to his new role, he got called back to the starting lineup after Podziemski got injured. But with the rookie cleared to play again, Klay will have to start the game on the bench.
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It looks like Steve Kerr is fixated on the new starting lineup because it has helped the Warriors win a lot of games recently. The Warriors are 6-2 since Kerr moved Klay to the bench, and they have improved to a 32-28 record. Stephen Curry and Co. will be desperate to win against the Bucks tonight and move on from Monday’s blowout loss. Hopefully, Podziemski and Wiggins’ return will help them achieve that goal.