The Golden State Warriors received more bad news on Monday, as it was announced that starting forward Draymond Green would miss at least a week of games due to a calf strain. It comes as a tough blow to a team desperate for wins, as Green will now join the list of rotation players missing from the lineup.
Warriors Lose Again, Injury News Not Getting Any Better
When the Warriors hopped out to a 12-3 record to start the year, one of their strengths was their depth. Head coach Steve Kerr was reaching far down his bench and getting production from 10+ players seemingly on a nightly basis, and the team’s front office was applauded for the roster construction that they did during the off-season.
But that production has tailed off tremendously. The team is now 21-21 after their blowout loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday, and the box score from the game exemplifies the issues for the Warriors.
The Celtics just beat the Warriors by 40.
(via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/48zzMUJ7TL
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 21, 2025
Stephen Curry, who is creeping up on his 37th birthday, had a sub-par day at the office. He shot 6 for 16 from the field, including 4 for 12 from three point range, and finished with 18 points to go along with three turnovers. It was a game in which the Warriors needed their supporting cast to step up more than ever, but their output was abysmal. The four starters alongside Curry combined to score 18 points, the same total as Curry himself. Seven bench players got playing time in the loss, but they went 9 for 32 collectively from three point range, and Moses Moody let the unit with 13 total points.
Andrew Wiggins and Dennis Schröder both finished with plus/minus designations of -29.
Draymond Green Will Miss At Least A Week Of Action
Draymond Green was absent for the contest, and will miss at least three games coming up this week. The Warriors are scheduled to take on the Kings, Bulls, and Lakers between now and Saturday, and their most important defensive piece will be held out of each contest. He joins other important players on Golden State’s injury list, which includes Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Kyle Anderson.
Draymond Green: Mild left calf strain, re-evaluated in a week, I’m told. Rules him out of the next four games at least vs Celtics, Kings, Bulls and Lakers.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 20, 2025
There are reports that Podziemski and Anderson are eyeing returns later in the coming week, but Kuminga remains out with an ankle injury that he suffered on January 4th.
The Warriors don’t have much time to spare in terms of waiting to get their pieces back into their lineup. With their loss to Boston on Monday, Golden State has fallen out of the Western Conference playoff picture entirely. They are now in 11th place thanks to their .500 record, and could find themselves out of contention completely if the cast around Curry continues to struggle.
