Injuries mounting for Warriors: Draymond Green latest hurt star
The injury issues for the Golden State Warriors just keep on coming.
Forward Draymond Green limped off the floor Thursday, Dec. 4 after a 76ers player rolled onto his foot during Golden State’s 99-98 loss against Philadelphia.
The injury happened midway through the second quarter, with around 4:45 left to play in the half. During the play, Green was under the basket and swatted at a loose ball when Philadelphia forward Dominick Barlow fell to the court and rolled over Green’s right foot.
Green immediately grabbed at the area, near his ankle. He limped slowly into the locker room after Warriors coach Steve Kerr subbed him out.
This came as Golden State is also contending with injuries to stars Stephen Curry (quad) and Jimmy Butler (knee).
The Warriors struggled in the first half against Philadelphia, shooting just 29.8% from the field and falling into a 56-34 hole. When the Warriors came out to start the second half, Green was not on the floor. The Warriors later announced that Green would not return with a right foot injury.
Golden State would eventually battle back, taking a four-point lead inside the final minutes.
Sixers rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, however, put back a Tyrese Maxey missed shot with 0.9 seconds left in the game, giving Philadelphia a one-point lead. Golden State quickly inbounded the ball by sailing it deep across the court, allowing guard De’Anthony Melton to put up a quick layup. Maxey, though, trailed the play and swatted the ball off the backboard for a game-sealing, chase-down block.
After the game, Green left the arena in a walking boot, according to reporters on site, who also reported that Green said he hopes to play through the pain.
Kerr said during his postgame press conference that he had not spoken to Green and did not have an update, other than to say that the team would be cautious with the injury.
Why was Stephen Curry out vs. 76ers?
Curry missed his third consecutive game with a left quadriceps contusion he suffered Wednesday, Nov. 26 against the Rockets, when he tried to take a charge. Curry is not with the team during its current three-game road trip, and Kerr said Curry would miss at least five games.
Kerr did recently express optimism that Curry could be back for the Warriors’ next home game, Friday, Dec. 12 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Curry leads the team with 27.9 points per game.
Why was Jimmy Butler out vs. 76ers?
Butler suffered a knee injury in Golden State’s 124-112 loss Tuesday, Dec. 2 against the Thunder. He did not return to the game and underwent an MRI. The Warriors said Butler would miss at least Thursday’s game against the 76ers with knee soreness.
