SAN FRANCISCO -- For much of the preseason, the Warriors have maintained their goal is to make the postseason, despite losing much of their top-tier talent.
Thursday night against the LA Clippers will provide a mammoth first test.
Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 6 p.m. with "SportsNet Central: Warriors Edition." Tip-off of the TNT telecast is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. PT.
[RELATED: How to watch Warriors-Clippers online]
Both teams have gone through many changes since their first-round matchup six months ago. While Golden State lost Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala in free agency, the Clippers retooled, adding All-NBA forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
With George sidelined, Kawhi Leonard shined in statement season-opening win over the Lakers on Tuesday evening and will be more than ready to ruin Golden State's home opener Thursday.
Sports
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Warriors
F - Glenn Robinson
F - Draymond Green
C - Kevon Looney
G - D'Angelo Russell
G - Stephen Curry
Clippers
F - Kawhi Leonard
F - Patrick Patterson
C - Ivica Zubac
G - Landry Shamet
G - Patrick Beverley
INJURY REPORT
Clippers: Amir Coffey (R Ankle Sprain), Paul George (Rehabilitation Assignment), Rodney McGruder
Warriors: Alec Burks (R Ankle Sprain), Alen Smailagic (R Ankle Sprain), Wille Cauley Stein (L Midfoot Sprain), Marquese Chriss (L Foot Soreness)
ROTATION OUTLOOK
Warriors: With Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala on new teams and Klay Thompson potentially out for the season, Golden State now enters a world of uncertainty.
Golden State's historically veteran-laden roster has been replaced with an influx of youth. Of the Warriors' eight summer additions, just three have postseason experience and two are over the age of 26.
Compounding the Warriors conundrum is that its frontcourt has dealt with preseason injuries, including Willie Cauley Stein, Alen Smailigic and Kevon Looney. While Looney is expected to start, Golden State's frontcourt will be among the league's smallest.
Despite losing much of its core, the Warriors have maintained their goal is to make the postseason. Thursday marks the start of that journey.
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard was terrific in LA's season opener, scoring 30 points, adding six rebounds and five assists Tuesday evening.
Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams scored 21 points off the bench Tuesday evening. Golden State would be wise to keep an eye on Sweet Lou, who torched the Warriors for 50 points in an upset regular-season LA win nearly two years ago.
The Clippers own the best bench in the league, outscoring the Lakers' second unit 60-19 Tuesday night.
Defensive pest Patrick Beverley, who tallied 10 rebounds in Tuesday's win, will get extensive time on Steph Curry.
OFFICIALS: Scott Foster (#48), Brian Forte (#45), Ray Acosta (#54)
