The Golden State Warriors aren’t looking like their usual selves.
Shockingly, they’ve lost five of the last seven games.
They have experienced a lot of highs lately – with Stephen Curry claiming the three-point record and Klay Thompson returning – but there have been lows too.
Curry is currently out with a hand injury but should be returning soon.
However, there is another missing player who is hurting the team with his absence even more.
The Warriors need Draymond Green back as soon as possible and will be sorely missing him until he’s once again on the floor.
What Green Brings
Green will be out for at least two more weeks, according to NBA sources.
The latest evaluations indicated that the soreness in his left calf is tied to a disc in his lower back.
Warriors‘ Draymond Green will be re-evaluated again in two weeks due to calf issue tied to a disc in his lower back, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 16, 2022
The last time we saw him on the court was January 9, the day that Thompson returned.
However, he was only in the rotation for mere seconds, stepping in at tip-off just so he could be there for the start of Thompson’s big re-entry.
Since then, he hasn’t played with the team and even stayed in the Bay Area as the Warriors traveled.
Green has been having a banner season with the Warriors, putting up 9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while shooting a career-high 53.7 percent from the field.
He isn’t making as many points as Curry or Thompson but he’s playing with a fierce determination and attitude.
Green has always been one of the most aggressive guys in the league but he’s also incredibly smart.
He can make some expert decisions even under pressure while physically being roughed up in the paint.
In his absence, other players on the team have stepped up – most notably Otto Porter Jr.
However, no one has the same experience and expertise that Green has.
You have to remember that much of the team is quite young and new to the league, Green is not and he knows what he’s doing.
Jonathan Kuminga, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Andrew Wiggins will all take on more responsibility in Green’s absence but they will all need to show more consistency.
The Warriors will need continued and perhaps more impact from rookie Jonathan Kuminga with Draymond Green out. The power forward averaged 17.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.3 minutes in the last three games.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 16, 2022
This period without Green will be a chance for these younger players to get better and perfect their game.
It also comes at a time when Thompson is finding his rhythm, Curry is injured, and the competition is only getting hotter.
In other words, this isn’t a good time for Golden State.
The Big Three Return?
Green, Thompson, and Curry haven’t played a game together since 2019.
Not surprisingly, they’re all desperately awaiting the time they get to join each other again.
All of these guys are terrific on their own but they’re a whole different animal when they play together.
There is great hope that the Warriors will straighten out and play much better once this big three is finally reunited.
Sadly, it will be a couple more weeks until these three future Hall of Famers get the chance to remind the world just how good the Warriors really can be.
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