NBA Matchups: March 18 The 2025-26 NBA season continues with a slate of matchups on March 18, featuring key games between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, and other top teams. The Warriors face the Celtics in a game that highlights their defensive struggles, while the Thunder take on the Nets in a matchup with potential for high-scoring action. The Warriors’ matchup against the Celtics is particularly challenging. Golden State’s team totals project them at 102.3 points, while Boston is expected to score 114.3. The Warriors’ defensive issues are evident, with injuries to Al Horford (calf) and Quinten Post (foot) limiting their options. Projected starters for the Warriors include Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Will Richard, Gui Santos, and Draymond Green, while the Celtics’ lineup features Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta. Coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of maintaining aggressive play, noting that Kristaps Porzingis’ performance against the Wizards in a previous game suggests he could thrive in this matchup. However, the Celtics’ defensive strategy, which includes minimizing fouls, may limit Porzingis’ effectiveness. Kerr also mentioned the team’s focus on a “reunion tour” against former teams, highlighting the significance of the game for Porzingis. Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla praised the team’s physicality against the Suns, stressing the need for Jaylen Brown to remain aggressive despite Tatum’s presence in the lineup. Mazzulla noted that Tatum’s rebounding ability allows the Celtics to adopt more aggressive defensive coverages, which could impact the Warriors’ strategy.#boston_celtics #oklahoma_city_thunder #brooklyn_nets #golden_state_warriors #steve_kerr
Evolution of Gui Santos Defies Dubious Warriors Narrative SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors have faced scrutiny in recent years for their ability to develop young players, with much of the criticism directed at coach Steve Kerr. However, the journey of forward Gui Santos offers a compelling counterpoint to this narrative. Santos, a late second-round pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has transformed into a key contributor for the team, embodying the patience and dedication required to thrive in the league. Santos’ development began nearly four years ago when he arrived in the Bay Area from Brazil. At the time, he was 20 years old, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing just 185 pounds, with limited English proficiency. Despite these challenges, Santos embraced the Warriors’ player-development plan, which emphasized learning to play alongside Stephen Curry, the franchise’s superstar. His commitment to this blueprint, reinforced by coaches and mentors, has been central to his growth. A former Brazilian national team player, Santos spent the 2022-23 season in the G League, where he honed his skills under Santa Cruz Warriors coach Seth Cooper. During this time, he gained strength, adding about 20 pounds, and sharpened his understanding of the NBA game. His determination was evident even when faced with setbacks, such as the departure of mentor Leandro Barbosa to Sacramento. Santos remained focused on his goal of playing for the Warriors, a dream he realized when the team signed him to an NBA minimum salary in 2023. By the 2023-24 season, Santos had become a regular on the roster, though his playing time was limited. He made his debut as a starter in February 2024 and quickly proved his value. Over the past 13 games, he has averaged 14.8 points and 4.0 assists, shooting 52.5% from the field and 35.#golden_state_warriors #steve_kerr #gui_santos #stephen_curry #joe_lacob
Darius Garland eases into Clippers debut, then helps lead comeback win Darius Garland, who hadn’t played since January 14 due to toe injuries on both feet, faced a challenging start to his Los Angeles Clippers debut. The former two-time All-Star, traded for James Harden on February 4, came off the bench for the first time in nearly five years while under a minutes restriction. In the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, Garland struggled with defensive pressure, losing the ball to Moses Moody, Al Horford, and Nate Williams. “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to get a blitz after a month off,” Garland said postgame, his legs submerged in ice water. “But Steve Kerr always got something up under his sleeve.” After a scoreless first quarter, Garland found his rhythm in the second half. A key moment came when he used a Brook Lopez screen to hit a pull-up 3-pointer, which he later described as a turning point. “I was like ‘All right, I think I knocked the cobwebs off a little bit,’” he said. The Clippers, trailing 56-42 at halftime, outscored the Warriors 72-45 in the second half, including a 40-14 advantage in the paint, to secure an 114-101 victory. Garland finished with 12 points, two assists, and a steal in 23 minutes, overcoming five turnovers to help the Clippers outscore the Warriors by 5 points in his minutes. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue noted that the Warriors’ defensive adjustments initially hindered Garland’s effectiveness. “In the second half, the adjustment was just single pick, middle of the floor, let him go either way, let him operate,” Lue said. “That’s what really turned him loose.” Lue used Garland to enhance bench lineups featuring newcomers Bennedict Mathurin and Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, as well as rookie Jordan Miller.#los_angeles_clippers #kawhi_leonard #darius_garland #steve_kerr #tyronn_lue
Moses Moody Suffered Wrist and Shoulder Injuries During Game Moses Moody sustained a right wrist injury and also hurt his shoulder during a recent game, according to a report from Dalton Johnson, who cited Steve Kerr on social media. The Warriors’ head coach shared the update via his account, noting that further details about Moody’s condition and potential availability for upcoming games would be available the following day. The injury occurred during a game on March 3, 2026, though specific details about the incident were not provided. Kerr’s statement highlighted the team’s ongoing assessment of Moody’s status, emphasizing the need for medical evaluation to determine the extent of the injuries. The Warriors’ training staff and medical team are expected to provide a clearer picture of Moody’s recovery timeline in the coming days. Moody, a key player for the Warriors, has been a significant contributor to the team’s success this season. His absence could impact the team’s performance, particularly in critical matchups. Fans and analysts are now waiting for official updates to gauge how the injury might affect the team’s schedule and playoff prospects. The incident underscores the physical demands of professional basketball and the risks athletes face during competition. While the Warriors have not released additional details about the injury, the team’s focus will likely shift toward supporting Moody’s recovery and ensuring he is ready to return to play when possible.#warriors #steve_kerr #moses_moody #dalton_johnson #march_3_2026
Warriors' Al Horford Reveals Mindset Ahead of Nuggets Win Al Horford made his sixth start of the season on Sunday, February 22, stepping into the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup as head coach Steve Kerr managed a growing list of injuries. The roster included absences for key players such as Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Seth Curry. Horford logged 26 minutes of action, finishing with 22 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His efficiency was notable, as he shot 8-of-11 from the field, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc. His performance helped the Warriors secure a surprising 128-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets. After the game, Horford shared his approach to the matchup, explaining his mindset as he prepared to start against the Nuggets. “Once I realized I had to start, I just needed to make sure that I brought energy and those shots were available early on,” he said. Horford emphasized the importance of pace and ball movement, stating that maintaining a fast tempo and keeping the offense flowing was critical for the rest of the game. His focus on creating space and driving the pace aligned with the Warriors’ strategy, allowing the team to capitalize on opportunities throughout the contest. Joining the Warriors during the offseason, Horford signed a two-year deal with the franchise after leaving the Boston Celtics. His arrival added versatility to Kerr’s rotation, as his ability to space the floor, defend multiple positions, and create plays around the elbow brought a new dimension to the team’s offensive options. Against the Nuggets, Horford showcased his potential, delivering a standout performance that highlighted his impact on the court.#denver_nuggets #golden_state_warriors #new_orleans_pelicans #steve_kerr #al_horford
Warriors' Moses Moody Sustains Multiple Injuries in Loss to Clippers Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors suffered multiple injuries during Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reports from the team’s head coach, Steve Kerr. The Warriors fell to the Clippers 114-101 in the matchup, and Moody’s injuries included a jammed right wrist and a shoulder issue. Despite the setbacks, Moody managed to stay in the game, recording 10 points (4 of 12 from the field, 2 of 8 from beyond the arc), three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 25 minutes of action. The Warriors’ coaching staff will assess the severity of Moody’s injuries in the coming days, with his availability for the team’s next game—scheduled for Thursday against the Houston Rockets—remaining uncertain. The team plans to re-evaluate his condition within the next 24 to 48 hours to determine whether he will be able to participate in the upcoming game. Moody’s status has been a topic of concern as the Warriors continue their road trip. Multiple updates have since emerged, indicating he was ruled out for the following game on Wednesday, another absence for the subsequent matchup on Sunday, and a sprained wrist was confirmed as part of his injury. However, recent reports suggest he was cleared for on-court work, though his participation in the team’s game against Houston remains in doubt. The Warriors’ medical team will closely monitor Moody’s recovery, as the injuries could impact his ability to contribute during a critical stretch of the season. His absence adds to the challenges facing the team as they navigate their schedule, with key players needing to step up in his place.#los_angeles_clippers #houston_rockets #golden_state_warriors #steve_kerr #moses_moody
