SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green will not play in the Warriors’ two remaining preseason games and is questionable for the Warriors’ regular-season opener against the Phoenix Suns next Tuesday as he rehabs from a left ankle sprain.
Green hasn’t played in any of the Warriors’ three preseason games or full team practices and will be re-evaluated on Sunday, which will sideline him for the Warriors’ games later this week against the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. Head coach Steve Kerr said Green wouldn’t be cleared to play in the opener until he’s played a full scrimmage. The hope is Green will be able to scrimmage this week.
“We’re hoping that later this week it’s 3-on-3, and it translates to 5-on-5,” Kerr said. “We’ll play it by ear.”
Green, 33, sprained his ankle coming down on Jonathan Kuminga’s foot in a pick-up game in the days before training camp began on Oct. 2. He has not been spotted with any wrap on his ankle or on crutches.
Kerr described the Warriors’ defense through their 3-0 preseason start as “bad,” but difficult to judge completely with their defensive anchor in Green out of the mix.
“Draymond is, I think, the best defensive player in the league,” Kerr said. “If he’s out, we’re not going to be as good. But we still need to be solid and hit our key points.”
The Warriors committed 22 fouls against the Kings, 27 fouls against the Lakers in LA, and 20 in their first preseason game against the Lakers last week.
“We’re not there yet,” Kerr said. “We’re fouling jump shooters more than we did a year ago through the first three games, it’s one of the key points we’re trying to hit. The Sacramento game we didn’t foul as much, the first two we fouled like crazy. We have to hit on those things, we have to rebound better and take better care of the ball. Defend without fouling and put better pressure on the ball. But that’s what preseason is for and we’re able to see those mistakes and hit on them. It’s up to the guys to take that next step and make the improvement.”