OAKLAND — The Warriors someday will have an uninterrupted reunion with longtime rival LeBron James, but Saturday is not that day.
James was ruled out of the Warriors-Lakers game 90 minutes before tipoff at Oracle Arena. After missing five weeks with a groin injury that forced him out in the third of the Christmas Day meeting with the Warriors, he played 40 minutes upon his return Thursday night.
The cause of James’ absence on Saturday is “load management,” a long-winded euphemism for rest in the wake of lingering soreness from two nights ago.
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SIGN UP HERE Nonetheless, the Warriors’ quest remains the same. Twelve days after walloping the Lakers in Los Angeles, they aim to repeat that result in Oakland.
Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4:30 p.m. with SportsNet Central, with postgame coverage immediately following the ABC telecast. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:35.
The Warriors (36-15) had their 11-game win streak snapped Thursday night in a 113-104 home loss to the 76ers. All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson, who missed that game, will return to the lineup.
The Lakers (27-25) are battling to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. They currently hold ninth place in the Western Conference, one game behind the eighth-place Clippers.
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PROJECTED STARTERS
Warriors
F Kevin Durant
F Draymond Green
C DeMarcus Cousins
G Klay Thompson
G Stephen Curry
Lakers
F Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
F Kyle Kuzma
C Ivaca Zubac
G Brandon Ingram
G Rajon Rondo
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Klay Thompson (illness) was listed as questionable and upgraded to available one hour before tipoff. C Damian Jones (L pectoral surgery) is listed as out.
Lakers: G Lonzo Ball (ankle, grade 3 sprain), C Tyson Chandler (rest) and F LeBron James (load management) were listed as out.
ROTATION OUTLOOK
Warriors: With Thompson giving it a try, expect the same nine-man rotation, with SF Andre Iguodala, PG Shaun Livingston, C Kevon Looney and F Alfonzo McKinnie coming off the bench.. . . Thompson scored 44 points when the teams met last month. If he is inactive, PG Quinn Cook will get some backcourt run. Cook did not play well (0-4 FG, 0-3 3p) Thursday against the 76ers, but he was not alone in that regard.. . . Iguodala has scored 29 points (12-15 FG, 3-5 3p) in two games against the Lakers this season.. . . Curry is due for a breakout game against LA. In two games this season, he has scored 32 points (8-29 from the field, 4-18 from deep).. . . All 12 healthy members played in the last meeting, largely because the bench was cleared after Warriors had a 110-80 lead after three quarters.
Lakers: Coach Luke Walton is unafraid of going deep into his bench. He played 11 players on Thursday, with 10 getting at least 11 minutes. Only F Michael Beasley (six minutes) did not. Thirteen players are averaging at least 10 minutes per game, with injuries influencing that figure.. . . Key players off the bench have been SG Josh Hart, SF Lance Stephenson, C JaVale McGee and SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.. . . At C, Walton has started McGee 37 times, Zubac 10 times and Chandler six times. The decisions have been based mostly on matchups.
Officials: Mike Callahan (chief), Tyler Ford, Mitchell Ervin.