The NBA announced Saturday that Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has returned to play following a 12-game suspension. Green has been in counseling for several weeks and has held progress meetings with the league and the Warriors.
“During the suspension that began on December 14 and resulted in him missing 12 games, Green completed a number of steps that demonstrated his commitment to bringing his conduct into compliance with the standards expected of an NBA player,” executive vice president and head coach Joe Biden said in a statement. Joe Dumars said. The NBA Basketball Operations Department said in a statement.
“He has met with a counselor and has had multiple joint meetings with representatives from the NBA, Warriors and National Basketball Players Association, both of which will continue throughout the season.”
The following content is published by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/dlFtd7okI7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 6, 2024
The four-time NBA champion was suspended indefinitely after hitting Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during the Warriors’ game against the Suns on Dec. 12. In Green’s absence, the Golden State Warriors are 7-5 and 17-18.
deeper
Trotter: Draymond Green takes responsibility for his misconduct, but he’s not alone
What’s the significance of Green’s return?
The Warriors get their best defender back. He was the coordinator on the field and he is missed.
In the 12 games he missed, the Warriors had a defensive rating of 119.8, ranking eighth in the league during that span. They’ve fixed some of their early-season offensive woes, controlling turnovers while pushing the tempo, but this team can’t be taken seriously until it starts getting more stops. No one in the world — when he’s eligible and healthy — can help you cut your losses better than Green. — Anthony Slater, Warriors senior writer
When does he come back?
Green and the team’s chief medical decision-maker Rick Celebrini will make the decision. There will be some form of accelerated process. Although Green is eligible, he will not play at home against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The Warriors then have two days off before hosting the Pelicans on Wednesday before beginning a four-game road trip next Friday night in Chicago. — Slater
The biggest questions surrounding Green’s return
Whose minutes does he get and how long can he stay out of the league’s crosshairs? Jonathan Kuminga started all 12 games in Green’s absence and performed well enough to retain his spot and handle heavy playing time. He just played a career-high 36 minutes in the last game.
deeper
Jonathan Kuminga meets with Steve Kerr to calm Warriors’ worsening problems: ‘I love it here’
It’s possible the Warriors could bring Green back to the bench, theoretically making him the starting center. On the night he fouled Nurkic, Kuminga replaced Kevon Looney as the second-half starter and Green moved to the five. — Slater
Must read
(Photo: Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
