The Warriors have been missing their bite recently but are hoping to get it back in the near future. Draymond Green has joined the team in Dallas for its current road trip that features a game Thursday against the Mavericks, one on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers and another on Monday against the Denver Nuggets.
Green is still weeks away from returning as he rebuilds strength while rehabbing a disc issue in his lower back but has started to scrimmage against his teammates. Warriors coach Steve Kerr joined 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto” Wednesday for a chat with Ray Ratto and Whitey Gleason (filling in for Damon Bruce), updating the latest on Green. You can listen to the full interview below:
Kerr said Green played in a 3-on-3 scrimmage Wednesday in the Dallas area with Klay Thompson, James Wiseman, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Chris Chiozza and Moses Moody.
“We had a really good 3-on-3 workout and Draymond looked great,” Kerr said. “Moving really well, healthy, confident. As you might expect, even talking a little trash.”
Kerr said Green’s barking was a welcome sound at the practice gym Wednesday. JTA had a face-to-face showdown with Taurean Prince in Tuesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's probably the closest thing the Warriors have to bringing Green's fiery demeanor on the court, but it's not quite the same.
“We miss that trash talking,” Green. “We miss that bravado. It was great to have him in the gym and it was great to see him looking so good. Everything is going really well, rehab-wise. We expect him back for sure in the coming weeks.”
The Athletic's Anthony Slater shared video from Wednesday's practice.
It must have felt great for Green to get back on the floor with Thompson. The two will forever be connected by the night of Jan. 9. While it will always go down as Klay Day, it also marked the night that Green felt his injury during warmups, as it was initially diagnosed as a calf strain. Green made a ceremonial start but had to limp off the court after just seven seconds. He hasn't appeared in a game since.
While Thompson has played in 17 games, Green has missed 24 contests. Aside from his 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, Draymond’s leadership, defensive quarterbacking and offensive table-setting has been sorely missed. Not to mention his interior presence against opposing bigs.
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Just having Green around the team is a boost for the Warriors, as he has been often working out at home during Golden State road trips.
“He’s here on the trip so it’ll be great to have him around the guys,” Kerr said. “We had a film session today and he spoke up in the session. He was fantastic as he always is. He’s one of our key leaders and we’ve missed him.”
Kerr added that the Warriors are “hopeful” Thompson (illness) and Moody (left eye contusion) will be able to play against the Mavericks. Klay already has told reporters that he's good to go.
