Warriors vs. Nuggets injury report

A lot of names on the injury report for Friday’s showdown.

After a huge game on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, and a huge game on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers (both wins!), the Golden State Warriors have their third game in four nights ... and guess what? It’s a huge game.

The Dubs return home after a six-game road trip and welcome in the Denver Nuggets ... a team they very well could face in the first round of the playoffs. And as they all seem to be these days, it’s a huge game in the standings. With a win, the Warriors would move to just a half-game behind the Nuggets ... and could be tied with the Lakers in the standing if Los Angeles loses to the New Orleans Pelicans (the Lakers own the tiebreaker, however).

So it’s a big one for both teams. However, each squad is a little bit banged up. Here’s the full injury report.

Warriors

Questionable — Steph Curry (left pelvic contusion)

Curry missed the first two games of the road trip due to a pelvic contusion, but returned for the final four games and was sensational. Unfortunately, during Thursday’s win over the Lakers, Curry fell awkwardly twice in one possession, and was in visible pain after re-aggravating the injury. He’s scored 89 points over the last two games, and needless to say, the Warriors need him.

Questionable — Jimmy Butler II (left forearm strain)

The Warriors have been nearly unbeatable with Butler and Curry in the lineup (although, funnily enough, they did lose to a very undermanned Nuggets team), but Butler has gotten banged up in each of the last two games. He’s still led the team in minutes in each of those games, though ... toughness is certainly not an issue for him. Hopefully he’s able to go tonight. Like Curry, the Warriors need Butler to be anywhere near their best.

Questionable — Gary Payton II (left thumb ligament partial tear)

The Warriors offered a happy update on Payton yesterday, announcing that he was being moved to day-to-day after being listed as out indefinitely. A strong defense is about to get stronger ... hopefully starting tonight.

Nuggets

Out — DaRon Holmes II (right Achilles tendon repair)

Holmes was the 22nd overall pick in June’s draft, but will have to wait until next year to make his NBA debut, after suffering a torn Achilles during Summer League.

Questionable — Jamal Murray (right hamstring inflammation)

Murray is having a typical excellent season, and averaging a career-high 21.6 points per game. He’s missed the last three games, however.

Questionable — Julian Strawther (left knee sprain)

Strawther, the 29th pick in the 2023 draft, has more than doubled his points per game average in his second NBA season, as he’s become a key member of the Nuggets bench.

Questionable — Peyton Watson (right knee inflammation)

Watson is also having the best season of his career, in his third year in the NBA. He’s been a core bench piece, and occasional starter for the Nuggets.

Probable — Nikola Jokić (left ankle impingement)

I’d say it would be a huge gift to the Warriors if Jokić can’t play, but the last time these teams played, Jokić, Murray, and Christian Braun all missed the game, and the Nuggets won anyway.

Probable — Christian Braun (left foot strain)

Hey, speaking of Braun, here he is. He’ll almost surely play.

Probable — Aaron Gordon (illness and right calf injury management)

We know that Gordon, a Bay Area kid, loves coming home to play the Warriors.

Enjoy the action, Dub Nation! The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBA TV.