The Golden State Warriors are starting 2026 with perhaps the biggest possible test: a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Though the Thunder lost back-to-back games against the San Antonio Spurs last week, they've rebounded to win their last three games in blowout fashion, and still remain far and away the best team in the league at 29-5.

The Warriors have played the Thunder twice so far this season — once at home and once on the road — but lost both games by double-digit margins. This time around, it will be an even more difficult task considering the names that have appeared on the Warriors' injury report.

The Warriors have experienced a stretch of good health in recent weeks, as both Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler have played in the last nine consecutive games. However, that will change against the Thunder, as both stars are listed as out.

Curry's injury is a left ankle sprain, something that Warriors fans may have noticed from the end of the Warriors' game against the Charlotte Hornets on New Year's Eve. At the end of the game, Curry rolled his ankle trying to evade a few Hornets while running out the clock. Of course, he's had a history of ankle injuries, particularly in his first few years in the league, so it seems that the Warriors are opting to err on the side of caution to not aggravate the issue further.

Butler, on the other hand, is listed as out due to an illness. It was an addition that came later than the rest of the names on the injury report, indicating this is likely a very recent thing that just came up. Butler has been very durable this season, missing only four games, but especially with Curry out and this game being the front end of a back-to-back, this may be seen as a good opportunity to get him some rest.

In addition to Curry and Butler's status, Draymond Green was officially ruled out for rest well in advance. Green has played the last eight games since he returned from a foot injury/personal leave, so finding a break for him on the front end of a back-to-back works out.

Other than those three, De'Anthony Melton is questionable, and Al Horford is probable — both will likely play just one game in the back-to-back, so it's up to Steve Kerr and the staff to decide which game. Trayce Jackson-Davis is also probable to play, providing big man support with Green out.

Without Curry, Butler, and Green, the Warriors will be looking to Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer to handle much of the ball-handling and shot creating, while Gui Santos is likely to see much more minutes filling in for Green at the forward position, especially considering his great performance against Charlotte.

The Warriors' ailments are not a lone issue, though the Thunder are not nearly as injured to the extent that Golden State is.

Importantly, the Thunder will be without Isaiah Hartenstein for the third consecutive game and the 11th time in their last 16 games. The big man is listed as out with a right soleus strain.

Their center position is weakened even further with the continued loss of Jaylin Williams, who is out with heel bursitis. This is the ninth straight game that Williams will miss.

Ultimately, the Thunder are still a well-oiled machine, even without some of their rotation players. It will need to be a complete game on both sides of the ball if the Warriors want to pull off a major upset.