In a bold move that’s got the NBA buzzing, the Golden State Warriors have unveiled their 13th different starting lineup of the season, shaking things up big time ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Chicago Bulls. Fresh off a gritty victory in his first career start on Saturday, Pat Spencer is holding down the fort once again, proving he’s no fluke. Joining him in the spotlight is Jimmy Butler, who’s back in action after sitting out two games with a nagging knee injury. Rounding out this unexpected crew are sharpshooter Buddy Hield, rising talent Will Richard, and big man Quinten Post. This revamped five is set to bring the heat and catch the Bulls completely off guard!
But the drama doesn’t stop there—key Warriors stars are sidelined for this pivotal matchup. Superstar Stephen Curry is out with a quad issue, veteran Draymond Green is nursing a knee problem, and Al Horford is dealing with sciatica. These absences have forced head coach Steve Kerr to dig deep into his bench, turning what could have been a disaster into a showcase of Golden State’s underrated depth.
Dubs Eye an Improbable Winning Road Trip Amid the Chaos
With Curry missing the entire three-game road swing, Butler only suiting up for the finale, and Green limited to just nine minutes in the opener before bowing out, an 0-3 skid seemed like a real possibility. Yet, here we are: the Warriors are one clutch defensive stop away from being 2-0 on this trip, defying all expectations.
The unsung heroes? Golden State’s deep reserves have stepped up in a massive way. Pat Spencer has been on fire, dropping 16 points and four assists in a nail-biting one-point loss to the 76ers, then exploding for a career-high 19 points and seven assists in the thrilling win over the Cavaliers. Quinten Post, Gui Santos, and Buddy Hield have also delivered clutch contributions, keeping the Dubs afloat and turning heads league-wide.
Facing off against a struggling Chicago Bulls squad (9-13) that’s dropped six straight games, Golden State has a golden opportunity to seal a winning road trip. The Bulls might be reeling, but the Warriors’ revamped lineup could be the perfect storm to extend that skid and send the Dubs home on a high note.
Warriors Counting on Podz, Kuminga, and Moody to Step Up Big
Notably absent from Sunday’s starting five are young guns Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody—a trio that’s started in at least one spot every game this season until now. It’s tough to fault Kerr for the switch-up, given their recent slumps: Kuminga has gone a dismal 8-of-32 from the field over the last three outings, Moody is just 14-of-52 from beyond the arc in his past eight, and Podz has racked up eight turnovers against only six assists in his last three, while posting a combined minus-34 rating.
Still, with Curry, Green, and Horford out, the Warriors’ depth isn’t infinite—they can’t afford to bench these talents entirely. Expect Podz, Kuminga, and Moody to hit the floor early in the rotation, with a shot at earning those crucial closing minutes in the second half. Golden State simply can’t bank on Santos and Spencer to carry the scoring load like they did Saturday. Butler will need reliable backup, and this young core is primed to provide it, potentially turning this shake-up into a statement win.
As the Warriors gear up for this Sunday showdown, all eyes are on whether this 13th lineup iteration can deliver the goods. The Bulls better brace themselves—this isn’t the Golden State they expected!