Draymonod Green exited in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a right thigh contusion. It takes a lot to knock Green out of games, so concern quickly shot through the Chase Center.
But after the game, Steve Kerr calmed worry, amounting the injury to no more than a bad dead leg.
“He got a quad contusion,” Kerr said. “It was pretty nasty. He’s got some ice on it now, and just for now, call him questionable for Friday.”
When asked if the collision could have also impacted Green’s knee, Kerr said he hadn’t talked to the training staff at the time.”
“When (Green) came off the floor, he said it was a bad muscle bruise,” Kerr said. “He just got kneed in the thigh. But it was close to the knee. I have no reason to believe that it has anything to do with a joint.”
The play in which Green apparently suffered the injury came as he fought for an offensive rebound. Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels inadvertently made contact with Green’s leg while jostling for a loose ball underneath the hoop.
The Warriors led 79-63 when Green exited. Minnesota won the rest of the game, 47-44.
Green, a Defensive Player of the Year and four-time first-team All-Defensive player, is pivotal to the Warriors’ success. His ability to guard all five positions and instruct his teammates vocally has helped Golden State become the No. 1 defense in the NBA.
Stephen Curry said without Green, the Warriors’ offense could change slightly in terms of who initiates action. But he added this roster’s more equipped with shooters and shot creators to weather injuries.
In 11 games, Green is averaging a perfectly Draymond Green line of 7.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game.
The Warriors would certainly feel Green’s absence if he has to miss time, but it’s a long season and GSW has already built a cushion in the standings. Wednesday, Golden State became the first team in the league to 10 wins and has an NBA-best 10-1 record.