More than 1,000 days have passed since Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry played a real game together. Sure, Green suited up for a ceremonial start on Klay Day on Jan. 9, but he had to limp off the floor after just seven seconds due to a calf twinge during pre-game warmups.
The Warriors eventually diagnosed the injury as a disc issue in his lower back, as Green has been rehabbing for the past two-plus months. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Draymond will finally make his return with Klay, Steph and the rest of the Warriors in Monday night’s contest against the Washington Wizards at Chase Center. You can hear the 7 p.m. PT tip-off on 95.7 The Game with Warriors Live starting at 5:30 p.m. PT:
On Monday morning, Green spoke to reporters about the significance of finally playing with the Splash Brothers after such a long layoff.
“I’m very excited,” Green said. “I was looking forward to this day for a long time a couple of months ago. … Just to take the court again with those two guys in particular. I always say, we built this thing – with Andre [Iguodala] who got here my second year – we built this thing from ground zero.”
The trio – along with rehabbing veteran Andre Iguodala (lower back tightness) are the key figures behind the franchise’s dynasty run from 2015-19 that included three championships and five consecutive NBA Finals appearances. If the Warriors can put it all together in the final 14 games of the regular season, there’s no reason to think they can’t make another championship run once the playoffs begin.
“To take the floor again with those guys, especially after all the nonsense of, ‘This dynasty is over and the s–t that came with it – I’m extremely excited,” Green said.
Green said he figures he will be on a 20-23 minute restriction that will gradually grow over the next 10-14 days.
“I’m usually against minute restrictions,” Green said. “I hate ‘em. Anytime I’ve been on one, I get into a fight coach or [Warriors director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celebrini]. I’m actually very inviting of it this time around. I know I need it. I know I need them to protect me from myself.”
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Green also detailed his rehab, saying that he spent a couple of days in Cabo San Lucas with Celebrini, doing two-a-days “on vacation” during the All-Star break.
“I’ll just come in and try to let the game come to me and figure it out as I go,” Green said. “I don’t think it should take me too long to get into it.”
The Warriors went 17-13 in their 30 contests without Green since Jan. 9, sorely missing his playmaking on offense and defensive quarterbacking. He plays like a point guard on offense and center on defense, occupying a unique and crucial role in Steve Kerr’s fluid system. Draymond intangibles – his intensity, teammate accountability and raw energy should provide a massive boost for the Dubs.
“It's been a long time since Klay, Steph and Draymond got to play together,” center Kevon Looney said. “It's going to be an electric atmosphere. It’s going to be a lot of fun. He’s been chomping at the bit to get back on the court, so it’s going to be an energy boost for our team. We really need him, too."
