SAN FRANCISCO -- As NBA free agency opened up this past summer, the Warriors were able to bring one of their most coveted players to The Bay by signing guard Donte DiVincenzo to a two-year, $9.3 million contract, with a player option for the second season.
Through the Warriors' first 10 games of the season, DiVincenzo only has played three. After sustaining a strained left hamstring in the third quarter of the Warriors' win over the Sacramento Kings, DiVincenzo has been sidelined ever since. The Warriors are 2-1 with DiVincenzo, and 1-6 without him.
On Sunday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr provided a positive update regarding 25-year-old.
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"Donte practiced today," Kerr said. "He didn't do anything live, but he's looking better. He won't play [Monday], but we're hopeful he can play Friday against Cleveland. That'll give him a week of practice.
"He's feeling a lot better."
Though the Warriors only have played five preseason games with DiVincenzo and three in the regular season, he has been missed.
"Definitely," Kevon Looney said Sunday when asked if DiVincenzo's absence has been noticeable. "He's a guy who has championship experience. He's another guy that can really defend and does a lot of the tough, small things for our team on the court."
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Looney also emphasized DiVincenzo's ability to win 50-50 balls, and how important that is with the Warriors' small margin for error right now.
Hamstring injuries can be finicky, with one's progress changing by the day. The Warriors always were going to be cautious with DiVincenzo's injury, especially early in the season. Sunday was his first practice back with the team upon their return home from an 0-5 road trip, and it's a big step forward to have a date to circle.
Friday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center might also be the first time we see another Warrior, one whose absence has been felt with such a young roster. Andre Iguodala hinted Thursday night after the Warriors' loss to the Orlando Magic that he could be out of street clothes and back to game action against one of the best teams in basketball.
With DiVincenzo injured, two-way player Ty Jerome has stepped in admirably. In the Warriors' loss Friday night to the New Orleans Pelicans, Jerome scored 18 points in 31-plus minutes off the bench, and also added six rebounds and five assists.
Thus far, Jerome is averaging 6.6 points and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range while playing 15.6 minutes per night for the defending champions.
But Jordan Poole has been inconsistent offensively as he navigates between being a scorer and distributor. Over the final three games of the Warriors' road trip, Poole had 13 assists and 14 turnovers as he shot 27 percent from the field and 30 percent on 3-pointers. DiVincenzo allows Poole to play on and off the ball.
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In the Warriors' fourth preseason game, an emphatic win against the Portland Trail Blazers, DiVincenzo handed out four assists in the first quarter alone and ended with 10 in 23 minutes.
"He just fits our style so well," Kerr said of DiVincenzo after the Warriors' first preseason win in Japan.
Following their battle with the Kings on Monday night, the Warriors will have a three-day stretch without a game. They'll be off Tuesday, which should make Wednesday a big scrimmage day for them. If all goes right, expect DiVincenzo back for a big test with the Cavs.