Seth Curry bewildered by Warriors' starting lineup decision early in season
Seth Curry bewildered by Warriors' starting lineup decision early in season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors are struggling out of the gate in the 2026-27 NBA season, and their roster availability is not helping their cause.
Coach Steve Kerr, in the season-opening loss at the Los Angeles Lakers, opted for a small starting lineup with Draymond Green playing the 5 with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and Gui Santos alongside him in the frontcourt. Lakers center Walker Kessler feasted on the lack of size, scoring 26 points and making all 12 of his field-goal attempts.
To compensate, two-way rookie Graham Ike was inserted into the starting lineup for the two following games. Former Warriors guard Seth Curry shared his reaction to the decision in a social media post.
“With all due respect to Ike, a two-way starting for the Dubs in Game 2 is tough,” Curry wrote on Threads.
It indeed is a tough circumstance the Warriors find themselves in less than a week removed from the season opener. Kristaps Porziņģis would be the starting center if not for an illness that will sideline him indefinitely. Al Horford is another option if Kerr wants a true 5 in the starting lineup, but the 40-year-old center’s playing time is limited with load management.
That leaves Ike, the undrafted rookie center who was signed to a two-year, two-way contract following a standout performance in the NBA Summer League.
He scored 10 points in 12 minutes played in his first start against the Memphis Grizzlies, but grabbed just two rebounds and finished with a minus-16 plus/minus. Ike built on the performance in the back end of the back-to-back Saturday against the Phoenix Suns, scoring 12 points and snagging 10 rebounds.
“The name of the game is to stay ready when your name is called,” Ike told reporters Saturday after the team’s third loss. “Ultimately, I just wanted to be prepared for when my opportunity hit. I didn’t expect it to happen this early, but I didn’t have any expectations coming into a new league, a new environment and a new situation like this.”
Kerr’s other option at center is Charles Bassey, who recorded 10 points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes against the Suns. Bassey, 25, signed a one-year deal with Golden State after center Quentin Post left for the Grizzlies in the offseason.
“They’re both fearless,” Kerr said Saturday of Ike and Basey. “I think they’re confident, they’re excited about the opportunity, and they showed that in camp and preseason, and they showed it tonight. Two talented young big guys we’re really excited about.”
As long as Porziņģis remains out, Kerr’s options at center will be limited, and Ike figures to play a much larger role than previously anticipated.
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