Draymond Green to be re-evaluated in two weeks

Green's calf injury puts the reunion on hold for a bit longer

When Klay Thompson finally came back from injury, Draymond Green requested to be on the floor for one play. But what was initially reported as a slight calf twinge apparently hasn’t healed since then, leading to today’s announcement that the Golden State Warriors’ All Star forward is going to be on the shelf for a while.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

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.

The Warriors knowingly came into this season without a traditional center on their roster. The expectation was that James Wiseman would return and consume some minutes, but after a second surgery to clean out his surgically repaired knee in December, that’s will be at least another month away. Kevon Looney will continue to shoulder the bulk of the duties as long as his body holds up, and maybe even Bjelica could cover spot duties - but the real answer was that the Warriors would go small with Green at center.

“Calf issue tied to his lower back” sounds way more complicated, but the language at this point is extremely vague. Re-evaluated in two weeks covers a lot of ground, taking the team basically through the end of January (seven games, two weeks is January 30th):

On the one hand it’s fine because the top priority of Klay Thompson playing time is still viable. But this is a far from ideal way to welcome Thompson back into the fold. Already making things new again with his robust appetite for shots, Thompson will not get the benefit of playing alongside Green and his shepherding ways on both ends of the court.

Curry is also out, heading back early for what sounds more like rest than any sort of medical concern.

In the meantime, coach Steve Kerr mentioned before the game that he read the DNHQ preview, and agrees that Jonathan Kuminga has proven that he deserves more run.

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

Steve Kerr says Jonathan Kuminga will get more minutes in Draymond Green’s absence. Kuminga is coming off the best game of his rookie season. He had an extended post-shootaround film session with Kerr this morning in Minnesota.

Post publish updates:

Kerr says that this is mostly a precaution, long season, etc… Apply tinfoil hat as desired.

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

Steve Kerr on Draymond Green’s back/calf issue after discussing with Rick Celebrini last night: “The main thing is to be safe and cautious. It’s a long season. That’s my sense. That we’re being cautious.”