"Steve Kerr wishing he had Jimmy Butler tonight" - NBA fans react to Warriors missing 6 key players including Steph Curry against Pacers

The Golden State Warriors are set to take on the Indiana Pacers on Friday on the second leg of a four-game road trip. After a 12-3 start to the year, Golden State has come tumbling back down to Earth, entering Friday's contest with a 19-18 record and the ninth seed in the Western Conference.

The Warriors were without several players for the matchup versus Indiana. Golden State ruled out Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II and Brandin Podziemski and listed Moses Moody and Trayce Jackson-Davis as questionable. Prior to tip-off, Moody was upgraded to probable.

Fans on social media reacted to Golden State's injury report amid recent struggles and trade rumors.

"Pacers have a chance," PrizePicks commented on the post.

"They weren't winning regardless," a fan argued.

"A lot of their young core (have) been missing games and aren't even good," another fan added. "Maybe trade them."

One fan touched on the recent Jimmy Butler trade talks and others blamed Warriors coach Steve Kerr for the team's slump.

"Steve Kerr wishing he had Jimmy Butler tonight," a fan joked.

"(Steve Kerr) is washed," another fan boldly commented.

"Any other coach would be fired by now just saying," a third fan argued.

Steph Curry-less Warriors enter Friday's matchup with Pacers as heavy underdog

In the absence of Steph Curry, the Warriors are coming into Friday's matchup versus Indiana as a 10.5-point underdog. The Pacers are riding a four-game win streak, winning five of their last six games.

The Dubs have struggled immensely since their 12-3 start through their first 15 games and are a modest 3-3 over their last six games, in the midst of a 7-15 stretch. They are coming off a narrow 107-104 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.

Looking to make a splash and make a playoff push, the Warriors have become a potential landing spot for disgruntled Miami Heat star, Jimmy Butler.

The front office has reportedly been hesitant to structure a deal around rising star Jonathan Kuminga, but landing Butler could prove to be a season-altering move. The Warriors are expected to be buyers as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches but have remained relatively quiet as they monitor the trade market.