The NBA officially lifted the 12-game suspension for Golden State Warriors’ standout Draymond Green, marking his return to action, as announced by the league on Saturday. Green, a key figure in the Warriors’ lineup, had been engaged in counseling and progress meetings with both the league and the team during the course of his suspension.
Joe Dumars, the executive vice president and head of basketball operations for the NBA, acknowledged Green’s commitment to aligning his behavior with the expected standards for NBA players. The suspension stemmed from an incident on December 12 when Green struck Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in the face. In Green’s absence, the Warriors managed a 7-5 record, maintaining a 17-18 overall record.
The significance of Green’s return is notable, especially for the Warriors’ defense. Green, a four-time NBA champion, serves as a pivotal on-court coordinator, and his absence was reflected in the team’s defensive struggles. The Warriors ranked eighth-worst in the NBA in defensive rating (119.8) during the 12-game period without Green.
As for the timeline of his return, Green and Rick Celebrini, the team’s lead medical decision-maker, will collaboratively decide. While Green is eligible to play, he won’t participate in the upcoming game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The team plans to implement a gradual ramp-up process, potentially aiming for his return during the Wednesday home game against the Pelicans or the subsequent four-game road trip starting in Chicago next Friday.
One of the critical questions surrounding Green’s return revolves around playing time distribution. Jonathan Kuminga, who started all 12 games in Green’s absence, has delivered commendable performances, earning substantial minutes. Managing rotations and ensuring Green avoids league-related issues will be crucial aspects upon his return. Kuminga, having recently played a career-high 36 minutes, adds an additional layer to the lineup considerations.