Sports

Warriors Rest Curry, Green; Bassey, Melton, Niang Lead Lineup

By Raphielle Johnson

The Golden State Warriors will start De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Georges Niang, Yaxel Lendeborg and Charles Bassey in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are resting. Gui Santos, who started Friday’s win over the Lakers, will come off the bench. Bassey scored nine points in the first half and added 10 points, six rebounds and one assist in 15 minutes of second‑half play after Green was ejected two minutes into the third quarter. Bassey finished with a career‑high 19 points, a performance that could help secure his contract in January. Green received two technical fouls early in the third quarter, one after a confrontation with Suns center Khaman Maluach and another involving Dillon Brooks. Santos did not play in the second half of the win over the Clippers, finishing with four points, three rebounds, one assist and one block in nine minutes. Coach Steve Kerr said the team will re‑evaluate Santos, who has knee tendinitis, and he will miss Monday’s game, potentially giving Georges Niang more playing time. With Curry off the night, Melton started and played 28 minutes, hitting six three‑pointers—his most in a game since December 9, 2022. He scored 13 of his 16 points in the second quarter, shooting 3‑of‑4 from beyond the arc. The Warriors’ bench outscored the Lakers’ bench 50‑7 on Friday. The Warriors will host the Clippers again on Sunday. Santos is available after missing Wednesday’s win over the Timberwolves, but his inclusion would push Niang out of the starting lineup. Niang played 22 minutes in Wednesday’s game. Lendeborg remains questionable but has been productive early in the season. The Warriors’ lineup changes are driven by player availability and injury status.