Warriors dealt another big blow with Chriss’ leg injury
The Warriors, reeling from the loss of Klay Thompson and beatdowns in their first two games of the season, got more bad news Sunday.
Backup center Marquese Chriss will miss a significant part of the season after breaking his right leg during a post-practice scrimmage Saturday in Chicago. According to head coach Steve Kerr, Chriss suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly after going up for a lob dunk.
“We are all devastated for him,” Kerr said. “I just feel so horrible for Marquese. He’s been such a great person, great teammate, hard worker. And he’s really come along over the last year-and-a-half as somebody who has a future in this league and has been very helpful for us. We’re going to miss him. He was playing well.”
In addition to fracturing his right fibula, Chriss also suffered a high ankle sprain, according to a source, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to discuss medical information.
The Warriors’ medical staff did not confirm that Chriss, 23, will
miss the rest of the season. More will be known after he undergoes surgery.
After practice Saturday, the Warriors listed Chriss as out with a lower right leg injury for today’s game against the Bulls. “God will find a way to test u!” Chriss said in an Instagram post on Saturday night.
Chriss, the No. 8 pick in the 2016 draft from the University of Washington, had played for three teams in his first three years in the NBA before signing with the Warriors in training camp last season. Chriss emerged as the Warriors’ starting center by the end of the season, averaging 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 59 games (21 starts).
This season, he was settling into a role as a highenergy backup behind No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman.
The Warriors counted on him for reliable defense and good offensive positioning. Chriss expects to have a long rehabilitation before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Without Chriss, Wiseman and center Kevon Looney will have more responsibility in the lineup. Secondyear big man Alen Smailagic might be used more as well. Once he returns from a foot injury, forward Draymond Green can play as a center in a small-ball lineup.