Steph and Wiggs to play in the Warriors-Lakers preseason game; Podz out

Steph and Wiggs to play in the Warriors-Lakers preseason game; Podz originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Steve Kerr’s Warriors roster roulette continues, partly out of curiosity, but also out of necessity.

Here’s an update the coach provided on Monday:

Podz breaks his nose

Sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski, who leads the Warriors in minutes played during the preseason, suffered a broken nose on Sunday and will not play on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas.

The injury occurred in the third quarter of Golden State’s 111-93 romp over the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center. Podziemski inadvertently took an elbow from teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis, left the game and did not return. He is provided with a mask.

“He was the league leader last year for a reason,” Kerr said. “He literally sticks his nose in it. He’s just a physically strong player. He said he wasn’t worried. The mask thing, which takes some adjustment, to play with a mask. We’ll see how it goes, but he’s not afraid of anything. He will be there as soon as the medical staff allows him.”

Podziemski didn’t seem concerned, noting that this is his second broken nose, the first suffered two years ago during his time at Santa Clara University.

“I had to wear a mask before, so I know what it’s like,” Podziemski said. “I’m supposed to be here on Wednesday, so I should be ready to go on Friday.

Wiggins is ready to go

Veteran wing Andrew Wiggins is expected to make his first appearance this postseason on Tuesday and will likely be in the starting lineup.

“He’s going to have some catching up to do,” Kerr said. “The other guys are just starting to connect with what we formulate and implement. He’s a week behind, her. Even though he has been watching, it is still different when you have to feel it.”

Wiggins, the only certified rotation player left on the court, will be limited to 15-20 minutes, according to Kerr.

Wiggins spent the first week of training camp in Hawaii with a respiratory illness. He began isolated practices late last week and transitioned to scrimmaging on Sunday. He practiced hard on Monday.

Leaders back against Lakers

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, neither of whom played Sunday, are expected to return to the starting lineup against the Lakers.

Curry suffered a jammed right index finger on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. He left the game in the second quarter and did not return. He was postponed Sunday as a precaution, said Kerr, who added that he would miss at least one preseason game as a courtesy to veterans.

Green’s absence on Sunday was not related to illness or injury. Like Curry, he also gets veteran courtesy.

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