Warriors’ Draymond Green, Ian Clark sit out with injuries

Do-everything Draymond Green is fiery, vocal and brings energy on both ends of the court. But when the call is placed for defense, they practically race for the chance to answer.

Two teams that played Friday and traveled after the game will get their depth checked Saturday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors meet for the first time this season. Then, factor in the outstanding individual defensive abilities of Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, Green, Durant and so on. “Collectively we had to raise our voices to make up for it”.

Golden State hit 55.6 percent of its shots, including half its 22 3-point attempts. Durant had two more. With a recent plasma insertion into his left knee, we can expect D’ Angelo Russell to miss a few more games before he can return. “I think it’s a great challenge for us”.

Guard Ian Clark also was sidelined after he and Green had a scary collision under the basket in the third quarter of the win over the Lakers.

“That was wonderful. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a sequence like that from one guy”, coach Steve Kerr said.

Carmelo Anthony was on fire Friday, scoring 35 points to lead the Knicks past the Hornets in overtime, 113-111. The Warriors have only had three truly late toss-up games this season: at Phoenix, at Milwaukee and against the Hawks on Monday night.

It’s amusing to think that Green was listed as questionable earlier in the game.

Five minutes remained, the Hawks were within four, Kevin Durant walked to the scorer’s table and, finally, we had the late-game setup these five likely dreamed up in the Hamptons this past July 4.

“For a lot of guys, you would say that maybe those weren’t good (shots)”, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said of Curry’s long-range assortment.

Kevon Looney made his first career start in place of Green and had six points, three rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes.

Missing three starters and playing their third game in four nights, the outcome of Saturday nights’ game against the Golden State Warriors was expected. During a timeout in the first quarter, he waved at fans with a smile while a short highlight clip of him played on the Jumbotron. The Warriors have a franchise-record nine straight games with 30 or more assists and 11 of 15 this season. They’ve won 10 straight.

Golden State improved to 14-2 and has now won 10 consecutive games, with their most recent loss coming November 4 against the Lakers.

The absence will be Green’s first of the season and first since game five of last year’s National Basketball Association finals, a contest he missed because of a suspension for too many fouls.

Thibodeau called the Warriors “something we aspire to be”. Collectively, they did a fantastic job limiting the options of the already weaponless Lakers, forcing a number of turnovers and fighting their larger opponents to a virtual 44-45 draw on the glass, to go along with 10 blocks and 10 steals.