Report: Draymond Green could be out longer than first anticipated
There's reportedly 'no light at the end of the tunnel' for Draymond
Green's return to Warriors
>SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JANUARY 18: Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green
(23) watches the game from the bench in the second quarter of their NBA
game against the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center in San Francisco,
Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
>SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JANUARY 18: Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green
(23) watches the game from the bench in the second quarter of their NBA
game against the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center in San Francisco,
Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
By JON BECKER | jbecker@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: January 25, 2022 at 1:53 p.m. | UPDATED: January 25, 2022 at
2:13 p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/01/25/report-draymond-green-could-be-out-longer-than-first-anticipated/

There’s reportedly concern with some in the Warriors organization that
Draymond Green won’t soon return from a back injury that’s already
forced him to miss eight consecutive games.

Green is set to be re-evaluated this coming Sunday to check on the
progress of a disc injury in his lower back. However, Marc Spears of
ESPN’s “The Undefeated” said: “I keep hearing there’s no light at the
end of the tunnel, which certainly is a scary thing for Draymond and the
Warriors.”

Spears, appearing on KNBR-680’s “Murph & Mac” show, said he believes
Green’s absence could go a little longer than anyone expected when the
three-time All-Star’s injury was first revealed on Jan. 9. When Green
made just a token seven-second appearance in Klay Thompson’s
long-awaited return that night, the issue was said to be a calf injury.
Further MRI scans showed the problem was originating from Green’s lower
back.

While back injuries for basketball players are a scary problem to deal
with, there is still optimism that Green will be able to return to the
court before too long, despite Spears’ report.

Zaza Pachulia, a Warriors front office consultant, said he’s encouraged
about his old teammate’s status.

“The good thing is it’s not something really serious. It’s going really
well,” Pachulia said Tuesday on 95.7 The Game’s “Morning Roast” show.
“There’s progress every single day. So can’t wait to have him back on
the court.”

The feeling is obviously mutual for Green’s current teammates, who are
still suffering through their worst stretch of the season without him –
the Warriors are 5-6 over the last three weeks. Green is both the anchor
of their top-rated defense as well as the facilitator of their fabled
offensive attack.

“He’s the heart and soul of this team,” Spears said. “The same way we
saw with (Rudy) Gobert’s absence and how much it’s hurt the Utah Jazz, I
think you’re seeing that with the Warriors right now. They need him on
both ends of the court. But it’s very uncertain when Draymond might be
back.”

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Counting Green’s seven-second appearance in Klay’s comeback game, the
Warriors have permitted 100 points or more five times during their last
nine games without him. And, they’ve given up a whopping 115 points or
more on four occasions.

“We definitely miss his leadership,” Warriors center Kevon Looney told
reporters recently. “He’s an elite player and one of the best leaders in
the league. Not having him out there, sometimes you get lost without
him. We have to find our roles and keep pushing.”

Golden State is hosting Dallas Tuesday night, its fifth game during a
seven-game homestand that concludes Sunday against the Kevin Durant-less
Brooklyn Nets.

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Jon Becker | Online producer