At least one issue from the Warriors’ loss to the Lakers on Sunday has been resolved.
Coach Steve Kerr said that forward Draymond Green will play against the Blazers on Wednesday after tweaking his left ankle in Los Angeles, per Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Green’s injury occurred late in the second quarter against LA, and the Warriors were already down 27 points on their way to a 117-91 loss.
Kerr said too many turnovers and fouls by the Warriors led to their downfall in that game, and Golden State will try to get back on the winning track against Portland –and on Thursday against the Suns — by addressing those issues before the All-Star break. The team had just won its third-straight game before its listless performance in LA.
Kerr will have young guards Jordan Poole and Nico Mannion on the bench, fresh from their call-up from the G-League bubble, as an option for the Blazers game and moving forward. They might have to wait for substantial minutes, however. with Kerr’s mainline roster playing so poorly their last time out.
Green will lead that effort along with star guard Steph Curry. But Green is vital to the defense, an area the Warriors are thriving in this year. He also led the NBA in assists in February, though he had just two against the Lakers. Each star has to lead the way as far as taking care of the basketball and playing good defense without fouling.
And though Green is healthy now, that’s also an issue to watch. He’s had a nagging knee issue this season, as well as his ankle issue. His pride was probably hurt more than anything against the Lakers, and Green will definitely give it all he has against the Blazers.
(Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
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