Golden State Warriors Rumors: Harrison Barnes is Day-to-Day after Knee Sprain

Harrison Barnes might have just lost his leverage.

Barnes, who has been trying to negotiate a contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, sprained his knee during the preseason exhibition game against the Denver Nuggets. Barnes, 23, had collided with a Nuggets player and left the game in the second quarter. Barnes did not return to the game, which the Warriors lost 114-103.

There was not a lot of details provided about Barnes' injury but interim coach Luke Walton stated that Barnes is day-to-day.

"We obviously won't rush him back," Walton said.

With Barnes sidelined, veteran Andre Iguogala, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, will be getting the starting spot. Barnes started in every single game last season at the small forward position and averaged 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds. In the preseason so far, he has only averaged 5.3 points. Barnes has until Oct. 31 to sign with the Warriors or become a restricted free agent by next summer.

In the game against the Nuggets, the Warriors failed to impress at home. The 2015 NBA MVP, Stephen Curry, recorded 14 points but was only 1 for 8 from the 3-point line. He also committed four turnovers in 26 minutes. Leonard Barbosa and Draymond Green lead the Warriors' offense with 16 and 15 points respectively.

Despite their hot hands, the Warrior's defense failed to shut down the Nuggets, who shot 49.5 percent from the field.

"We've got to make that decision that we want to shut people down again like we did last year," Walton said.

Big man, Andrew Bogut, added that playing hard in the preseason can be tough because no one wants to get injured.

"The worst thing you can possibly do is hurt yourself in preseason," Bogut said. "It's tough to say, but that's the reality of it."

The Warriors will be opening their season on Oct. 27 against the New Orleans Pelicans.