Warriors Face Heat Without Draymond Green In Key NBA Clash

The Golden State Warriors are gearing up for another crucial NBA matchup, but this time they’ll be missing some key pieces as they face the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 20, 2026. The final injury report, released earlier today, confirmed that Draymond Green, the Warriors’ defensive anchor and emotional leader, will sit out due to a right ankle sprain. It’s a tough blow for a team looking to extend its momentum and improve upon its respectable 24-19 season record.

Green’s absence is particularly notable given his recent performance. Just two days prior, he delivered a stellar showing against the Charlotte Hornets, racking up 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, with three rebounds, six assists, and four three-pointers in 27 minutes. That victory, a 136-116 blowout, saw the Warriors surge past LaMelo Ball and the Hornets, further solidifying their place in the Western Conference playoff race. But with Green now sidelined, the Warriors will need to dig deep and rely on the depth of their roster.

The Warriors’ injury woes don’t stop with Green. De’Anthony Melton, who has been an important rotation piece, is also out due to injury management. Melton’s knee has kept him from playing back-to-back games, and he’s not been cleared for consecutive nights on the court. Gui Santos (ankle) and Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation) are also unavailable, leaving the Warriors shorthanded as they take on a Heat team that has had their number in recent history.

On the other side, Miami will be missing a crucial player as well. Tyler Herro, one of the Heat’s offensive sparks, is out with a rib injury. Terry Rozier is also unavailable, not with the team for this contest, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) are both listed as probable. The Heat, holding a 22-20 record, are looking to build on their recent success against the Warriors. Miami has won five of the last six meetings between these two teams, including a 110-96 victory back on November 19, 2025. Last season, the Heat swept the Warriors in their regular season series, and the all-time matchup sits at 37-37, making this clash a tiebreaker of sorts for regular season bragging rights.

For Golden State, the starting lineup is expected to feature Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Quinten Post, Will Richard, and Jimmy Butler. Yes, you read that right—Jimmy Butler is suiting up for the Warriors against his former team, the Miami Heat. Butler missed the previous game against Charlotte due to personal reasons, but head coach Steve Kerr confirmed before tipoff that Butler is “good to go” for this pivotal showdown. His presence brings a new dynamic to the Warriors’ attack, especially with Green out and the team needing an extra spark on both ends of the floor.

“Butler is good to go in facing his former Heat team,” Kerr revealed in his pregame speech, offering a boost of confidence to a Warriors squad eager to keep its winning ways alive. Butler’s return couldn’t come at a better time, given the depleted roster and the challenge of facing a Heat team that has historically played them tough.

With Green sidelined, the Warriors will turn to Quinten Post, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Al Horford for increased minutes in the frontcourt. Horford, a seasoned veteran, is available for tonight’s contest but will sit out the following night’s game against the Toronto Raptors as part of his load management plan. Post and Jackson-Davis, both young and energetic, will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute in meaningful ways. The Warriors have been a net neutral with Green’s on-off numbers this season, but his leadership and defensive prowess are difficult to replace.

Head coach Steve Kerr addressed Green’s absence, noting that the decision to sit the veteran forward was made in consultation with the team’s medical staff. “Rick Celebrini called Kerr this afternoon and said it best to hold Draymond out tonight vs Heat with the right ankle that has been bothering him,” reported Anthony Slater of ESPN. Kerr added that Green is expected to return for Tuesday’s matchup against the Raptors, the second half of the Warriors’ back-to-back set. “Green (ankle), who has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Heat, is expected to play in Tuesday’s matchup versus the Raptors,” confirmed Anthony Slater.

For the Heat, head coach Erik Spoelstra is rallying his team despite their own injury setbacks. After a recent win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Spoelstra commented, “After the Boston game there was just utter frustration and anger after that game, where we felt like we outplayed them for the overwhelming majority of the game and lose the game, so there was a lot of that fueling us, and this was a by-any-and-whatever-means-necessary game, whatever it takes.” That mentality will be crucial as Miami looks to continue its dominance over Golden State.

The projected starting five for the Heat includes Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo, Pelle Larsson, and Andrew Wiggins. With Herro out, the offensive load will fall heavily on Adebayo and Powell, while Mitchell and Larsson are expected to step up as secondary contributors. The Heat’s depth will be tested, but their recent track record against the Warriors provides reason for optimism.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PT at Chase Center, with fans eagerly awaiting a matchup that could have playoff implications down the line. The betting lines, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, list the Warriors as slight favorites at -5, with the over/under set at 239.5 points—suggesting an up-tempo, high-scoring affair is in store.

Looking ahead, the Warriors will quickly pivot to another tough test as they host the Toronto Raptors on January 21. Green is expected to return for that contest, while Al Horford will sit out due to back-to-back restrictions. De’Anthony Melton, meanwhile, is projected to be available after missing the Heat game for injury management. The Warriors’ depth will be tested, but the return of Butler and the expected reintegration of Green should provide a boost as they navigate a challenging stretch of the schedule.

As the action unfolds at Chase Center, all eyes will be on how the Warriors adjust to life without Green, even if just for one night, and whether Butler can make an immediate impact against his old squad. With both teams missing key players, the stage is set for a battle of depth, resilience, and perhaps a few surprises. One thing’s for sure—it’s never dull when the Warriors and Heat collide, and tonight’s game promises plenty of drama as the NBA season heats up.