Looney nurses injury

Warriors center Kevon Looney will miss the rest of preseason with a strained right hamstring, head coach Steve Kerr said after practice Tuesday.

Since tweaking his hamstring on the second day of training camp, Looney, 23, has missed three preseason games. He practiced Tuesday, but will sit out Wednesday and Friday against the Lakers in hopes of returning for Golden State’s regularseason opener Oct. 24 against the Clippers.

That would be a major boon for the Warriors, who are expected to be without likely starting center Willie CauleyStein (left midfoot sprain) through at least the first four regularseason games. With CauleyStein, Looney and Alen Smailagic (right ankle sprain) out, trainingcamp invitee Marquese Chriss has started at center the past two preseason games, with Omari Spellman serving as his primary backup.

The Warriors have high hopes this season for Looney, who signed a threeyear, $15 million deal in July. In 80 games last season, he averaged 6.3 points on 62.5% shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Looney’s ability to defend multiple positions made him an ideal smallball center.

With Looney due to miss the rest of the preseason, Chriss will get plenty of opportunity to strengthen his case for a 15man roster spot. The Warriors would have to waive Alfonzo McKinnie — on a nonguaranteed deal until midJanuary — or trade someone to free up room for Chriss.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.