Wembanyama's 10-Game Win Streak Meets a Short-Handed Golden State as the Spurs Host the Warriors in NBA Cup Play

One of the hottest teams in the NBA comes home Friday night, and the team walking into its building will be without the player who has carried it for nearly two decades.

The Golden State Warriors visit the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video in an NBA Cup group-stage game in the West's Group C ^[6]. Heavy noted that both teams are trying to take control of the group ^[2]. San Antonio enters at 10-2, riding a 10-game winning streak and a perfect 6-0 road record ^[3]. Golden State is 8-4 ^[1] and will play without Stephen Curry, whose MRI confirmed an oblique abdominal tear, the team announced Thursday ^[1].

Curry's Injury and a Long List

Curry left Wednesday's game in Houston with right abdominal soreness with 6:25 left in the first quarter, and the Warriors said he will be reevaluated in two weeks ^[1]. ESPN reported he will miss at least seven games, starting in San Antonio and running through stops in New Orleans, Dallas, Memphis, Boston, Sacramento and Portland ^[1]. Yardbarker pointed to a report from ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel that most players with an oblique tear miss at least four weeks, a sign the absence could stretch past the initial timeline ^[5].

Curry has been averaging 27.8 points while shooting 45.7% from three, according to ESPN ^[1]. Coach Steve Kerr did not hide his worry after the loss in Houston. "Concern is high," Kerr said ^[1].

He is far from alone on the sidelines. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody remain out as they rehab knee injuries, backup guard Brandon Williams is out with a left hamstring strain, and Kristaps Porzingis remains away from the team, according to the Warriors' injury report as relayed by Heavy ^[2]. Center Charles Bassey, who was punched by Houston's Marcus Smart on Wednesday in an incident that got Smart ejected, is listed as probable with left toe soreness ^[2][4].

A Streak Snapped, a Rookie Rising

The 115-108 loss in Houston ended Golden State's eight-game winning streak, its longest since 2022, according to the Associated Press ^[4]. The Warriors trailed 19-10 when Curry left and fought back to tie the game before falling by seven ^[1]. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg led them with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Brandin Podziemski scored 22 ^[4]. Friday's game closes a five-game road trip ^[4].

Lendeborg is averaging 21.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 51.8% shooting, Yardbarker reported, and Draymond Green believes the rookie will at times be the best player on the floor ^[5]. Green also said, according to ESPN, that the team's spirit without Curry is better than it was a year ago and that Podziemski is playing much better ^[1]. Golden State is 1-1 without Curry this season, and the Warriors began the year 0-3 before reeling off eight straight wins ^[1], so this group has already shown it can climb out of a hole.

Wembanyama and the Spurs Keep Answering

San Antonio's latest escape came Wednesday in Chicago, where the Spurs fell behind by 22 points before storming back to win 124-119, the AP reported ^[3]. Victor Wembanyama finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, two days after scoring 40 against Phoenix ^[3]. Dylan Harper had 18 points, 10 assists and four steals, and De'Aaron Fox added 17 points and nine assists ^[3]. The Spurs opened the second half on an 18-3 run to take control ^[3].

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The one question mark for San Antonio is Devin Vassell, who missed his second straight game in Chicago with left adductor tightness ^[3].

Why This One Matters

There is a lot to admire on both benches. San Antonio has built a young core around a generational big man and surrounded him with players who share the ball and defend, and the result is a team that keeps finding a way even on nights when it falls behind. Golden State, meanwhile, is being asked to do what every team eventually must: play without its star and see who steps forward.

That is the beauty of team sports. When the leader goes down, nobody gets to make excuses. Lendeborg, Podziemski, Green and the rest of the Warriors' healthy players will be asked to carry more against a team that has not lost in 10 tries. A win would be the kind of statement that defines a season. A loss would simply be what most people expect.

After San Antonio, the Warriors move on to New Orleans as the Curry-less stretch continues ^[1]. The Spurs, meanwhile, get a chance to stretch their streak to 11 straight in front of their home fans, and to grab an early edge in the race for the top of Group C.