The plague of injuries and physical problems that the Warriors are experiencing meant that in their game against the Knicks they had no less than $193 million in salaries in the infirmary, which is 93% of the team’s total. They were without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green, Moses Moody and Al Horford, who are the most expensive players on the franchise. A drama that is proving to be very expensive.
Curry has not played since January 30 due to a calf injury. He was said to be back after the All-Star break, but that has long since passed. He has missed 16 games in a row and some voices believe that it is best for him not to play again for the rest of the season and recover well. “If there’s something to play for, I’m playing for it. That’s what I work for,” said the point guard, who is earning $59.6 million this season
Jimmy Butler’s salary is not far behind at $54.1 million. In mid-January, the forward suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg that will prevent him from playing again this season. Between the two stars of the team, they have salaries worth $113 million and neither can play.
But there’s more. Porzingis arrived in the winter market and has only been able to play four games due to a rare persistent illness. He earns $30.7 million. Draymond Green also did not play, as he has been struggling with physical problems all season and earns $25.8 million. Moses Moody ($11.5 million) and veteran Al Horford ($5.6 million) were two other costly absentees and De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry (around $5 million between them) rounded the figure up to 193.
All five starters earn $9.1 million
With this in mind, the Warriors started against the Knicks with a lineup of Malevy Leons, Gui Santos, Quinten Post, Brandin Podziemski and Will Richard. Between them they will earn $9.1 million this season. In terms of experience, they were not over-endowed either. That quintet has 518 games in the NBA. Any of the Knicks’ starters surpassed that figure on their own.
Despite everything, they came close to winning at Madison: 110-107. They were even 21 points up (25-46), but the Knicks came back through Jalen Brunson (30 points) and the Warriors were unable to shoot in the last attack in search of overtime. Santos (20 points), Post (22) and Podziemski (25) were the best among the healthy ones.
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