Golden State Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — Chris Paul will come off the bench for the first time with Golden State in Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.

Kevon Looney is out sick and won’t play, prompting head coach Steve Kerr to use a new starting lineup with Jonathan Kuminga at the power forward position and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis at the five along with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins.

Paul has started every one of the 1,214 regular season NBA games he’s played in his career and started both of the preseason games he’s played this season. The Warriors hope that Paul can revive the second unit offense this season.

“He just wants to win,” Kerr said. “He wants to be part of something special and he wants to win. I’ve told him, we need him to be himself. He’s trying to fit in, sometimes we need him to take four mid-range jumpers in a row if the defense is playing a certain way. We’re looking for the comfort zone for him and for us.”

Kerr said the plan is to try out a different starting look in Friday’s preseason finale against the San Antonio Spurs and Wednesday’s shakeup was to ensure they “see a lot of combinations and options.”

Jackson-Davis has impressed in his minutes so far, particularly in an eight-point, four-rebound, one-block performance against the Los Angeles Lakers last week and will get his first NBA start.

“He’s played really well and we want to see him more,” Kerr said. “Starting him is easier with Loon out. Slide him in and get some minutes with our starters, it’s some great experience for him and allows Dario (Saric) to play the role he’s more likely to play off the bench. It fits with what we’re trying to do.”

Looney’s off day opens up more minutes for the Warriors’ front court players to tighten up the screws on defense against Kings big Domantas Sabonis. Golden State’s flowing offense that’s led them to a 3-0 record and covers for the multitude of defensive errors and bad fouls the team’s committed over that stretch.

Draymond Green will miss the entire preseason as he recovers from a left ankle sprain and is questionable for Opening Night next Tuesday. Looney, Curry and Paul are the only Warriors starters to get rest days in the preseason so far. It’s expected that Thompson — who missed a majority of preseason last year as he rounded int playing shape — will play against the Spurs.

The regular season starts on Oct. 24 against the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant’s first game at Chase Center playing in front of fans since his departure in free agency after the 2019 season.