Brandan Wright to start vs. Memphis, Mullin's reaction and Marcus Williams makes weight

November 7, 1:11 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Al Harrington 

Warriors forward Al Harrington was not at shoot-around on Friday morning.

Warriors coach Don Nelson said Harrington injured his back at practice on Thursday and likely won't be available tonight against the Grizzlies.

Interestingly, there was no mention of a Harrington injury yesterday.

In addition, Nelson announced to the media that Brandan Wright would start tonight in Harrington's place, and it was a decision the players knew about yesterday.

As most Warriors fans know, Harrington wants out of Golden State, and the Warriors are trying to accomodate him.

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The Warriors announced that assistant coach Larry Riley has been named general manager, replacing Pete D'Alessandro.

D'Alessandro had been the right-hand man of Chris Mullin, the Warriors' executive director of basketball operations.

When Mullin was asked about the firing, the latest indication of tension in the Warriors' front office, he said:

"I can't comment on that. It's not even a 'No comment.' I can't comment on it."

Riley won't be on the bench tonight; Stephen Silas moves into Riley's spot.

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It seems more likely than not that we'll see Marcus Williams tonight. At the very least, Nelson said he'll be active and in uniform.

Nelson said that Williams had "made weight," a reference to a body-fat clause in Williams' contract.

"I need a player to get into the paint and make some plays," Nelson said. "That's what they told me he (Williams) did. But we didn't see that. I think he was too heavy. Yesterday in practice, I was encouraged. He got into the paint. If that (weight) was the reason, let's alleviate that problem."

Williams has been working out with the Warriors' director of athletic development Mark Grabow for an hour before every practice.

"Coach told me I was settling for jump shots," Williams said. "He wants me to stop settling and make plays. ... If I look nervous out there, it's just because I'm excited."