Warriors' Al Horford exits Friday's game with right calf tightness

The Golden State Warriors entered Friday’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves short-handed, with leading scorers Stephen Curry (patellofemoral pain syndrome in right knee) and Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) sidelined and Draymond Green a late scratch due to a lower-back issue.

Golden State lost another longtime NBA veteran to injury during the game, as Al Horford experienced right calf tightness and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, the team announced. Later in the night, the Warriors announced that Seth Curry also was ruled out for the rest of the game due to left adductor soreness.

Horford suffered the calf injury in the first quarter. He played five minutes, recording three points and one rebound.

The 39-year-old center/forward entered Friday’s game averaging 8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks on .425/.361/.846 shooting in 42 appearances (22.1 minutes per contest). Horford has mostly come off the bench in his 19th season — Friday was his 12th start. Seth Curry entered Friday's action averaging 9.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Friday night was just his fourth appearance of the season.

Second-year big man Quinten Post is a candidate for more playing time with Horford out. The Dutch big man missed Wednesday’s loss to Chicago and was questionable entering Friday’s game due to bilateral foot injury management, but was upgraded to available. De’Anthony Melton also returned to action Friday following a one-game absence because of a left adductor injury.

Horford holds a player option for next season worth a little under $6M.