Philadelphia 76ers vs Golden State Warriors: Injury Report and Game Preview for February 3, 2026
The highly anticipated NBA matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors is set for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the iconic Chase Center in San Francisco. Both franchises enter this contest navigating significant injury challenges that will dramatically impact their rotations and playing time distribution throughout the game.
Injury Report: Key Absences for Both Teams
Philadelphia 76ers Injury Status
The Philadelphia 76ers will be missing several crucial players for this important road game. Their injury report presents substantial challenges for the coaching staff.
- Joel Embiid - OUT
The superstar center will be sidelined for right ankle and right knee injury management protocols. Despite scoring 24 points in the February 1 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, the medical team has decided to rest him on the second night of a back-to-back schedule.
- Paul George - OUT
The veteran forward continues to serve the third game of his 25-game suspension, leaving a significant void in both offensive production and defensive presence.
- Trendon Watford - OUT
Watford remains unavailable due to a left adductor strain that has now kept him out of four consecutive games, further depleting the team's frontcourt depth.
The remainder of Philadelphia's main rotation players are expected to be available, with Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., and De'Anthony Melton all projected to see increased minutes and expanded roles in this contest.
Golden State Warriors Injury Status
The Warriors face even more severe roster challenges, particularly in their guard and wing positions, which could significantly hamper their offensive schemes.
- Stephen Curry - OUT
The franchise cornerstone will miss the game due to a sore right knee, removing the team's primary scoring threat and offensive engine.
- Jonathan Kuminga - OUT
Kuminga continues to recover from a bruised left knee sustained during the January 22 game in Dallas, marking another extended absence for the promising forward.
- Jimmy Butler III - OUT
The veteran wing faces a season-ending knee injury that has removed him from the Warriors' rotation entirely for the remainder of the campaign.
- Seth Curry - OUT
Curry's back issues will keep him sidelined, further depleting Golden State's perimeter shooting options.
- Moses Moody - DAY-TO-DAY
Moody is listed as day-to-day with knee soreness, creating uncertainty about his availability for this crucial home game.
- LJ Cryer - DAY-TO-DAY
Cryer's hamstring issues have him listed as day-to-day, adding to the Warriors' backcourt concerns.
Expected Starting Lineups and Strategic Adjustments
Philadelphia 76ers Projected Starters
- Point Guard - Tyrese Maxey
- Shooting Guard - Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Small Forward - De'Anthony Melton
- Power Forward - Nicolas Batum
- Center - Paul Reed
With Joel Embiid unavailable, Paul Reed is expected to start at center, while Nicolas Batum will likely shift to power forward to provide spacing and defensive versatility. This lineup configuration emphasizes speed and perimeter play over traditional interior presence.
Golden State Warriors Projected Starters
- Point Guard - Brandin Podziemski
- Shooting Guard - Gary Payton II / Jordan Poole
- Small Forward - Draymond Green
- Power Forward - Trayce Jackson-Davis
- Center - Kevon Looney
If Moses Moody cannot play, either Gary Payton II or Jordan Poole could move into the starting lineup. Draymond Green will shoulder significant responsibilities on both ends, handling defensive assignments while helping to organize the offense in Stephen Curry's absence.
Team Form and Statistical Analysis
The Philadelphia 76ers enter this contest riding a four-game winning streak, including an impressive 128-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Over their last ten games, the team has posted a solid 6-4 record while averaging 117.2 points per game and allowing 116.1 points defensively.
Conversely, the Golden State Warriors have struggled recently, losing four of their last six games. Their most recent performance resulted in a 131-124 home loss to the Detroit Pistons without Stephen Curry. Despite these challenges, the Warriors remain in the Western Conference playoff picture, though their position has become increasingly precarious.
Season Statistics Comparison (2025-26)
- Points Per Game: Philadelphia 117.2 | Golden State 116-118 range
- Opponent Points Per Game: Philadelphia 116.1 | Golden State mid-110s
- Field Goal Percentage: Philadelphia 48.3% | Golden State competitive mid-40s% range
- Rebounds Per Game: Philadelphia 40.5 | Golden State 42-44
- Assists Per Game: Philadelphia 27.4 | Golden State 28-30
- Turnovers Per Game: Philadelphia mid-12s | Golden State mid-13s
Philadelphia demonstrates efficient scoring and strong ball movement, while Golden State typically relies on exceptional ball movement and perimeter shooting when at full strength.
Key Matchups and Strategic Battles
Several individual matchups will prove crucial to determining the game's outcome:
Tyrese Maxey's Expanded Role: With Stephen Curry unavailable, Maxey becomes the primary scoring guard on the court. His ability to penetrate defenses and create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates will be vital for Philadelphia's offensive success.
Frontcourt Battle: Paul Reed and Nicolas Batum must handle rebounding responsibilities and interior defense against the active combination of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney, who consistently generate second-chance opportunities around the basket.
Draymond Green's Leadership: Green's passing vision and decision-making remain essential for Golden State's offensive flow. He will need to control tempo and organize the Warriors' attack while also providing his trademark defensive intensity.
Game Significance and Playoff Implications
This contest carries substantial importance for both franchises as they navigate the challenging NBA schedule.
The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves midway through a demanding five-game road trip. A victory would improve their standing in the competitive Eastern Conference while demonstrating their ability to compete effectively without Joel Embiid. This performance could influence ongoing trade deadline discussions as the front office evaluates roster needs.
The Golden State Warriors desperately need a home victory to prevent further slippage in the Western Conference standings. With multiple key players unavailable, the team must rely on remaining rotation players to elevate their performances and provide unexpected contributions.
Game Prediction and Final Analysis
Predicted Final Score: Philadelphia 76ers 120 - Golden State Warriors 116
Philadelphia's recent form and superior scoring depth provide them with a slight advantage, even playing on the road. The 76ers have demonstrated resilience during their winning streak and possess multiple players capable of stepping up in expanded roles.
Golden State retains the potential to swing the result if their remaining shooters find rhythm and the defensive unit maintains solidity throughout four quarters. The Warriors' home court advantage and Draymond Green's leadership could prove significant factors in a closely contested game.
Both teams face substantial injury challenges while attempting to maintain their positions in their respective conference standings. While lineups will undoubtedly be altered from typical configurations, the game's outcome will ultimately depend on execution, adaptability, and production from available players stepping into larger roles.
