NEW ORLEANS — Despite being ruled out for when the Warriors (0-1) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) on Friday at Smoothie King Arena because of two sprained ankles, Warriors guard Omri Casspi expressed optimism he will return for Monday’s game in Dallas.
“I want to play on this trip,” Casspi said. “I don’t know tomorrow [in Memphis]. But I’ll play Monday.”
Casspi still completed work during Friday’s morning shootaround, and plans to increase his regimen before Saturday’s game in Memphis. Casspi added he has to “put some caution” with his rehab. But after missing the Warriors’ preseason finale and then suffering an injury to his left ankle in the preseason opener against Houston, Casspi sounded encouraged with his progress.
Because of Casspi’s absence, though, Warriors coach Steve Kerr made further changes to his inactive roster. With Warriors forwards Draymond Green (left knee) and Andre Iguodala (back strain) returning for Friday’s game in New Orleans, Kerr put reserve forwards Kevon Looney and Damian Jones on the inactive roster. Warriors guard Quinn Cook, who is on two-way contract, will be on the active roster on Friday for insurance purposes to the team’s backcourt.
“I feel bad about it. Looney has really earned some respect and minutes. But it’s a numbers thing and roster balance thing,” Kerr said. “I just don’t want to get caught shorthanded in the backcourt with Omri out. There are a number of scenarios that can play out where we’re really shorthanded and I don’t want to have to play Shaun [Livingston] or Steph [Curry] in circumstances that would require having an extra body back there. In case of an injury, we could use the extra guard.”
