Amid a brutal five-game losing streak, the Golden State Warriors are searching for any spark of life as they head into Monday night’s road matchup against the Washington Wizards. The team has been battered by injuries all season, and the status of veteran leader Draymond Green had become one of the biggest question marks.
Just hours before their March 13 clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors delivered a stunning blow when they downgraded Green to out. The four-time champion then missed the very next game against the New York Knicks on March 15 as the team managed what was described as a lower-back issue.
But on Monday afternoon, Golden State dropped a bombshell that could change everything.
FINAL UPDATE: The Warriors have officially upgraded Draymond Green to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/UnderdogNBA/status/2033664682117017681
The announcement sent an immediate ripple through the NBA community. Earlier in the day, the team’s injury report had already moved Green to probable, and head coach Steve Kerr fueled the optimism Sunday night when he told reporters he was “hopeful” the veteran forward would return. That hope has now become reality.
Green’s potential presence could not come at a better moment. The Warriors’ injury report remains heavy even without him. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are both sidelined as expected, De’Anthony Melton is out with an adductor strain, and Moses Moody continues to nurse a wrist sprain. Al Horford and Seth Curry suffered in-game setbacks against the Timberwolves, while Kristaps Porzingis was held out Sunday due to illness management but is now off the injury report and expected to suit up tonight.
With Green back in the mix, the Warriors suddenly have their emotional and defensive anchor available on a night when they desperately need one. After weeks of shuffling lineups and absorbing blow after blow, this update feels like the first real piece of good news the team has received in some time.
Monday’s game in Washington now carries extra weight. A win would snap the skid and give the Warriors a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the season. And with Draymond Green officially cleared to play, Golden State just dropped the kind of bombshell that could light the fuse for a turnaround.