Kyle Anderson a late scratch vs. Mavs

The Warriors are down a key rotation player.

The Golden State Warriors are getting ready for a highly emotional game, as Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Area to face his old team for the first time, now with the Dallas Mavericks. The initial injury report for the Warriors was excellent, as only one of their players was on it: Andrew Wiggins, who was listed as questionable. Since that initial report, Wiggins has been cleared to play, and will stay in the starting lineup alongside Steph Curry, De’Anthony Melton, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

But the Dubs had some late injury news that went the other way. Shortly before tipoff, veteran Kyle Anderson — one of the team’s top offseason acquisitions — was ruled out of the game due to neck spasms.

Anderson has been a huge part of the Warriors bench and their exceptional depth. He’s had tremendous defense and playmaking, while he still searches for his three-point shot to start falling. He’s been a versatile defender, capable of playing the middle in small-ball lineups, and guarding the perimeter in larger lineups.

Necks are nothing to mess with, so hopefully Anderson’s issue is minor, and clears up quickly. The Warriors have two days off after Tuesday’s contest, so thankfully the crafty veteran will have plenty of time to heal up before they face the Memphis Grizzlies — one of the three teams he’s previously played for — on Friday night.

On the year, Anderson is averaging 16.7 minutes, 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in his first year with the Warriors.