Sports

Warriors Start New Lineup with Bassey Against Clippers

By Joey Akeley

The Golden State Warriors will start Charles Bassey in their Sunday game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Bassey joins Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, Georges Niang and Yaxel Lendeborg in the starting lineup. This is the Warriors’ sixth different starting five in seven games. The team is 3-3 and is without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who are resting on the front end of a back‑to‑back. Gui Santos is available to play despite being listed on the injury report with knee tendinitis; he has started the Warriors’ last four games.

When Curry is out, the Warriors previously started Brandon Williams at point guard. This Sunday they will play Melton instead. Williams has more offensive talent, but Melton came off one of his best games of the season with 16 points on 5‑of‑10 shooting and is a better on‑ball defender. The Warriors plan to give Williams a significant role off the bench. Analysts note that the Melton‑Podziemski combination has a minus‑4.5 net rating this season, while the Williams‑Podziemski line has a plus‑27.8 net rating.

Bassey was chosen over Al Horford. Bassey has played only 26 minutes this season but averages 22.2 points and 16.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. Horford averages 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per 36 minutes and is a better shooter with extensive experience, but Bassey dominates the glass.

Georges Niang also earned a start. Niang began the season 0‑of‑13 from three, but in the last three games he has made seven of 12 threes and 10 of 18 shots overall. With Santos not at 100 percent and Green inactive for forward minutes, Niang is expected to receive a large minutes load, potentially setting a season high. The information was originally published on www.si.com/nba/warriors/onsi.