**3 Players Who Need to Step Up for Injury-Depleted Golden State Warriors**
The **Golden State Warriors** are no strangers to adversity, particularly in recent seasons as they’ve had to navigate a rollercoaster of injuries, roster changes, and shifting dynamics. However, this season has brought a new set of challenges that threaten to derail their championship aspirations if not handled properly. With key players sidelined due to injury, including **Stephen Curry**, **Draymond Green**, and **Klay Thompson**, the Warriors face an uphill battle in maintaining their competitive edge.
The **Golden State Warriors** are accustomed to bouncing back from injuries, but with the current set of injuries, the team must rely on others to step up and keep the ship afloat. The Warriors’ success has often relied on the stellar play of their core trio — Curry, Thompson, and Green — but now, with two of those players sidelined for significant stretches, the team’s depth will be tested like never before. Fortunately, the Warriors have players who have the potential to fill the void and elevate their performances in the absence of their stars.
In this article, we will analyze three players who are absolutely critical to the **Golden State Warriors’ success** over the next several weeks as they navigate through this injury-riddled period. These players will need to rise to the occasion, provide scoring, leadership, defense, and overall playmaking in order to give the Warriors a chance to remain in playoff contention and avoid a major slide down the standings.
### **1. Jordan Poole – The Next Man Up**
Perhaps the most obvious player who must step up for the **Golden State Warriors** is **Jordan Poole**. With **Stephen Curry** out due to a shoulder injury, Poole now finds himself thrust into the role of the team’s primary ball handler and scorer. Poole has shown flashes of brilliance in recent seasons, particularly during the Warriors’ 2022 championship run when he was one of the team’s best bench contributors. However, now that he’s been given a more prominent role, it’s time for Poole to prove that he can carry the load as the team’s primary offensive weapon.
Poole has proven that he can score at will, averaging **18.3 points per game** this season. He has an innate ability to create his own shot, and his long-range shooting has been an essential part of the Warriors’ offense. However, the challenge for Poole now is to be more than just a scorer. He must also take on the role of playmaker and decision-maker in Curry’s absence. Poole has shown improvement in his ability to make plays for others, averaging **4.3 assists per game**, but now he’ll need to elevate his passing and court vision to keep the offense humming.
What will be most important is Poole’s ability to handle the added pressure of being the leader on the court. While Curry is known for his calm under pressure, Poole will need to show maturity in his decision-making and avoid the kind of erratic shot selection that sometimes has plagued him in the past. His confidence is his biggest asset, but he’ll need to balance that confidence with the patience and decision-making that comes with being a primary playmaker.
On the defensive end, Poole has often been a weak link, but with Curry and Green out, he will need to put more effort into guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Poole’s size and quickness allow him to be an adequate defender, but his focus and commitment to defense must improve if the Warriors are going to remain competitive in these games. Poole has the ability to step up and fill the void left by Curry, but it will require a complete and well-rounded game.
### **2. Klay Thompson – The Veteran Leader Who Must Reclaim His Form**
**Klay Thompson** has dealt with a myriad of injuries over the past few seasons, but his return to form has been one of the bright spots for the Warriors this season. Despite some setbacks and challenges along the way, Thompson has regained his shooting stroke and has been a consistent threat for Golden State. That said, Thompson’s role becomes even more crucial now that both **Curry** and **Draymond Green** are sidelined.
Klay Thompson is already known as one of the best shooters in NBA history, and he’s shown signs of getting back to his pre-injury form, especially with his shooting numbers improving. Thompson is averaging **20.4 points per game** this season, but without Curry and Green, Thompson needs to elevate his offensive game even further. In Curry’s absence, Thompson will be expected to carry much of the offensive burden. His ability to hit threes at a high volume, create space for his teammates, and keep the defense on its heels will be pivotal to Golden State’s success.
One of the key areas where Thompson can impact the game is on the defensive side of the ball. While Thompson has always been known for his exceptional defense, particularly on the perimeter, his injury history has raised some concerns about whether he can consistently defend at the elite level he once did. With **Jayson Tatum**, **Jaylen Brown**, and other top-tier perimeter players emerging as dominant threats in the NBA, Thompson’s defense will be crucial to limiting opposing scoring runs and helping the Warriors stay competitive in high-stakes games.
In addition to his offensive and defensive contributions, Thompson also needs to step up as a **vocal leader** for the team. While **Draymond Green** has typically been the emotional leader of the Warriors, with Green sidelined or limited, Thompson must take on more responsibility in rallying the team. The Warriors’ championship pedigree requires leadership from their veterans, and Thompson needs to be the steady hand in the locker room and on the court. His presence will be vital in keeping the Warriors focused and competitive in the absence of their other key players.
### **3. Kevon Looney – The Unsung Hero and Defensive Anchor**
While much of the attention will naturally be on the Warriors’ star guards like Poole and Thompson, **Kevon Looney** might be the player who has the most significant opportunity to step up and play a pivotal role. Looney, who has developed into one of the most reliable and consistent players for the Warriors, is known for his gritty defense, rebounding, and ability to set screens that open up space for Golden State’s shooters. However, with the Warriors’ key players injured, Looney may need to take on even more responsibility in a variety of ways.
Looney’s primary role for the Warriors is as the team’s starting center and primary rebounder. Despite not being the most athletically gifted player, Looney has developed into an elite rebounder and defender in the post. His ability to grab crucial boards, protect the rim, and contest shots at the basket will be crucial as the Warriors will need his defensive presence more than ever. His basketball IQ and experience allow him to position himself well in the paint, and he will need to be a deterrent against the Celtics’ strong inside game, led by **Robert Williams** and **Al Horford**.
Looney’s importance increases with **Draymond Green** potentially sidelined, as Green is often the one tasked with guarding opposing bigs and providing rim protection. Looney will need to fill that role, providing the Warriors with some much-needed interior defense. His ability to defend without fouling, grab second-chance opportunities, and set solid screens for the guards will be key in helping the Warriors stay competitive against top-tier teams like the Celtics.
Offensively, Looney doesn’t demand the ball much, but his ability to finish around the rim, particularly off lobs and putbacks, can help the Warriors score efficiently in the absence of Curry and Green. His offensive rebounding is one of his biggest assets, and with the Warriors likely to miss out on some of the offensive firepower from their key players, Looney’s contributions on the glass will be even more important.
Looney doesn’t get the same level of attention as the Warriors’ other stars, but in the team’s current situation, he is an unsung hero who could make the difference between a win and a loss.
### **Conclusion: Rising to the Challenge**
The **Golden State Warriors** are facing a challenging stretch of games, and injuries to key players like **Stephen Curry**, **Draymond Green**, and **Klay Thompson** are making it even harder to stay competitive. However, this is an opportunity for players like **Jordan Poole**, **Klay Thompson**, and **Kevon Looney** to rise to the occasion and demonstrate their worth.
Poole must prove he can handle the responsibilities of being the team’s primary scorer and playmaker, while Thompson will need to reclaim his elite shooting form and provide the defensive presence that has always been a hallmark of his game. Meanwhile, Looney’s contributions on the glass and in the paint will be vital for the Warriors’ defense, particularly in Green’s absence.
If these three players can step up and perform at a high level, the Warriors will remain competitive even in the absence of their stars. However, if they fail to rise to the challenge, it could spell trouble for Golden State as they navigate through this injury-plagued stretch of the season. In the end, the success or failure of the Warriors in this crucial period will depend largely on the ability of these players to embrace their roles and play with the intensity and poise required to keep the team afloat.
