Draymond Green doubtful for Warriors' opener vs. Nets with foot strain
Draymond Green likely won’t see the court when the Golden State Warriors kick off their season on Tuesday night.
Green — who injured his right foot during a scrimmage earlier this week — is now doubtful for their season-opener against the Brooklyn Nets, coach Steve Kerr said Saturday.
"He tweaked his foot in the scrimmage two days ago,” Kerr said, via ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “Didn't really know [how severe] until the next morning when he woke up. It was a little sore ... he got an MRI. It's clear. But we're trying to be very, very careful.”
“It's not a long-term thing. We feel very confident that if he doesn't play Tuesday or Christmas Day, he'll be on the trip and we think he'll be available pretty quickly."
Green averaged eight points and 6.2 rebounds for the Warriors last season, his eighth in the league. The 30-year-old did not get to kick off training camp right away last month, either, due to league protocols.
Kerr said he isn’t sure when Green will be ready to take the court, but he’s confident that he won’t be gone long.
"I know Draymond's disappointed to not practice today and maybe not play Tuesday night," Kerr said, via ESPN. "But he's also well aware it's a long season, 72 games. He's going to get right. He's going to be healthy and ready to roll when he is, and at that point there's a ton of basketball left, so we're being smart and Draymond understands the need to be so."
James Wiseman on track for season opener
Though Green is doubtful for Tuesday, Golden State’s top draft pick should be ready to go.
James Wiseman, who the Warriors took with the No. 2 overall pick in last month’s draft, is expected to play against the Nets. Wiseman, along with Green, was slow to join the Warriors for the start of training camp.
Kerr said Saturday that Wiseman — who played just three games at Memphis amid eligibility issues — has left quite the impression on him so far.
"James is going to be our starting center before too long," Kerr said, via ESPN. "It might happen Tuesday, but clearly he is our long-term starting center. And when we feel he's ready for that, then we'll put him out there and then it's a matter of minutes and how long he can play. And for me as a coach, for my staff, it's let's give him the experience of seeing the different pictures that are going to be in front of him."
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