The Golden State Warriors have officially revealed their new starting lineup for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors, marking a major shift in the team’s rotation following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL tear.
Butler, who had started 38 of the Warriors’ 44 games this season, suffered the injury on Monday during a win over the Miami Heat. The news sent shockwaves through the organization, as Butler had become a cornerstone of Golden State’s offense since joining the team.
On Tuesday, head coach Steve Kerr announced the new first five: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post. This marks the 19th different starting lineup for the Warriors this season, highlighting the ongoing challenges the team has faced with injuries and roster adjustments.
The new group has seen extremely limited action together—just 16 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass—but the early results are encouraging. In that tiny sample size, the lineup boasts an impressive +66.0 net rating.
With Butler sidelined for the rest of the season, the Warriors are now the only team in the NBA with just two players averaging over 12.3 points per game. Losing one of those high scorers leaves a massive hole in the offense, and the team will need multiple contributors to step up consistently.
The blueprint for success was already on display Monday night against the Heat. After Butler’s injury, the Warriors rallied behind a balanced attack. Brandin Podziemski led the way with a game-high 24 points, while Buddy Hield added 16, Quinten Post chipped in 15, Moses Moody scored 13, and Al Horford contributed 10. The result was a convincing 135-112 victory.
That performance suggests the team may have found a new offensive rhythm, even without their star forward.
The Warriors received mostly positive news on the injury front ahead of Tuesday’s game. Draymond Green (ankle), Will Richard (glute), and Gui Santos (ankle) were all listed on the report earlier in the day but are available to play. De’Anthony Melton is also active after resting Monday to manage his previous ACL injury.
However, Al Horford will sit out as part of the team’s plan to manage his health, and Seth Curry remains sidelined with sciatica.
One lingering question surrounds Jonathan Kuminga. The forward has not played in the last 16 games amid a public trade demand that surfaced on January 15. Before Tuesday’s game, Kerr was asked about Kuminga’s role moving forward.
“He could be,” Kerr said when asked if Kuminga would re-enter the rotation. When pressed on whether Kuminga still wants to play for the Warriors, Kerr added, “I do.”
While Kerr did not shut the door on Kuminga’s return, the coach’s measured response suggests the situation remains fluid. For now, the focus appears to be on the current group that delivered a strong performance Monday.
The Warriors will look to build on that momentum against the Raptors, but the loss of Butler remains a significant blow. How the team adapts in the coming weeks will be crucial to their playoff hopes.