By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

OAKLAND — As Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez might say: “One Warrior goes in, another one comes out.”

That’s fitting because Golden State will once again be swapping a healthy player for an injured one Friday against Atlanta: swingman Stephen Jackson is set to return, but second-year guard C.J. Watson, so impressive Wednesday at both ends of the floor against Sacramento, has been ruled out by the team because of a case of turf toe on his left foot.

Watson considers the problem to be a day-to-day situation, but he’s slated to undergo an MRI scan in the afternoon to assess the damage more fully.

“It sucks that C.J.’s out,” Jackson said. “He’s been playing so great, he’s been really an upside to how we’re playing, even though we’re losing.”

Watson, who’s averaging 10.0 points per game on 46.4 percent shooting from 3-point range, said he incurred the injury a week ago, and aggravated it while playing 49 minutes and dropping 26 points against the Kings.

“I couldn’t even walk (Thursday),” Watson said. “Coming back (off Wednesday’s game) and not being able to play, it’s frustrating. I know most of my teammates are healthy. Jack’s coming back, Monta (Ellis) is about to come back, so it’s too bad that I get hurt.”

Notes
Corey Maggette has badly swollen knuckles at the base of the index and middle fingers of his right hand, something that first happened against Indiana on Sunday and clearly played a part in his 4-for-12 performance from the free-throw line against Sacramento. Maggette is expected to suit up Friday: “If it’s not (a problem with) my legs, I’m playing.” . . . In anticipation of Ellis’ return, Nelson is planning at this point on using Maggette off the bench tonight, with a starting five of Jamal Crawford, Jackson, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph and Andris Biedrins. . . . Guard Marco Belinelli said he was moving much more easily on his sprained right ankle and hopes to play Monday against Washington. . . .

Contact: geofflepper@48minutes.net