The recent Warriors-OKC matchup would have been amongst the best, and worst, for Kevon Looney this season. He made efficient use of his 25 minutes to drop his season-high 18 points through 5-7 field goals. Unfortunately, he also ended up sustaining an ailment that would usually put a player on the sidelines for a significant period. With the Bay Area franchise currently holding a .511 win percentage, the last thing – the VERY LAST thing – they would want is to sustain a disadvantage due to another player’s injury. Fortunately, Looney seems to be safe for now.

Yesterday, The Athletic reporter Anthony Slater provided an update on Kevon Looney’s health. The reporter confirmed that the 28-year-old Center/Power Forward had sustained a nasal fracture. The injury will reportedly compel Looney to wear a face mask. This will give game attendees seated at far-away seats another way to distinguish the player from his other teammates. After all, despite his injury, Kevon Looney is cleared to play during the Warriors’ upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns.

Kevon Looney has been more than substantially injury-free this season. The only other ailments he sustained this season were two separate bouts of illness. One turned up more than a week ago, while the other came up back in November 2024. The latter did cause the player to be declared ‘OUT’ of a matchup against the LA Clippers. Looney was also listed as “Probable” for the next game against the Atlanta Hawks. Fortunately, no hint of an absence has been given out regarding the upcoming game, despite the nasal fracture. Given that Joel Embiid was declared “OUT” for a week back in December 2024 due to a nasal fracture, Lonney must have dodged a major bullet.

Kevon Looney’s availability gives the Warriors squad one less problem to deal with. Given their precarious position, the team management has been occupied enough searching for a trade deal that could improve the team. Time is limited, with the February deadline approaching soon. If that wasn’t enough, the team might reject one of their top acquisition prospects soon.

Amid Kevon Looney injury, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green ‘doubtful’ about Jimmy Butler acquisition

Jimmy Butler is the name that has been occupying the headlines over the last few weeks. After declaring “I want my joy back… I want to play with a dominant team”, Miami Heat put the veteran under a suspension period, while making it known that they are looking for a trade deal for him. One team that has been linked to the popular small forward more than the Phoenix Suns. That is the Golden State Warriors. Even Warriors GM Bob Myers indicated endorsing an acquisition, stating “He helps you win. He’s not about numbers. Jimmy Butler plays both ends of the floor, and he wins.” Unfortunately, the concerns of two key Warriors players may put the brakes on any trade discussion.

Longtime NBA reporter Kevin O’Connor brought up Jimmy Butler during a segment of his show. According to him, “My league sources say Stephen Curry specifically has concerns about Jimmy Butler’s fit in the Warriors’ locker room, and Steve Kerr shares those feelings”. Expanding upon the issue, O’Connor also added “Draymond Green also shares those concerns”. When three of the most renowned entities in the Warriors squad have doubts, a hesitance towards finalizing a deal would be justified.

Kevin O’Connor reported that this reluctance supposedly comes from Butler’s problems with the Miami Heat and also his former teams. The remarks by the 3-year, $146.396 contract wielder in the presser weren’t the only thing that got him into the bad graces of his team. After his first suspension, Butler reportedly engaged in a “continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct, and conduct detrimental to the team”. This included even missing a team flight! Therefore, the veteran was awarded a second suspension. Later, he skipped practice amidst reports of being removed as a starter. This earned him his third, and an ‘indefinite’, suspension.

All of these incidents have not helped to create a good impression on him. Whether this will ultimately cause the Warriors to give up on acquiring him is something that remains to be seen.