Harrison Barnes to Miss at Least the First Two Games

The Warriors announced that second-year forward Harrison Barnes will miss at least the season’s first two games, due to inflammation in his left foot (an ailment that has kept Barnes sidelined for the last three weeks.) Per the Contra Costa Times: “He’s doing things now without pain,’ head coach Mark Jackson said. ‘But we want to get closer to when he was 100 percent healthy — practicing, running with no issues. There are some restrictions right now and, because of that, it makes no sense to throw him out there tomorrow night.’ The team hasn’t revealed the details of Barnes’ injury — such as what’s causing the inflammation, how it happened, how its being treated or how long Barnes could be out — which is usually up to the player. But it’s serious enough to keep him on the shelf, which is unnerving news for diehard Warriors fans. Tuesday, Barnes could be seen smiling, shooting free throws and walking around without a limp. Jackson said Barnes, who missed just one game last season as a rookie, is making progress but some movements still cause him pain. When and if Barnes does return to action, he will do so as the sixth man as Jackson also announced Klay Thompson will remain a starter. Jackson previously said he was deciding between Thompson and Barnes. The first two preseason games, Jackson brought Thompson off the bench to see how it would work. Jackson never got a chance to see how Barnes fit off the bench, but he’s seen enough. So your Golden State Warriors starters: Thompson, Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, David Lee and Andrew Bogut. ‘That’s my starting five,’ Jackson said. ‘I don’t want to cheat those guys. They’ve earned it.'”