The Golden State Warriors may be getting some much needed help next week. Forward Draymond Green announced on his podcast, "The Draymond Green Show," that he's targeting a return date for Monday, March 14 against the Washington Wizards. Green hasn't played since Jan. 5 as he's been dealing with a nagging back injury.
"I'm targeting my return next Monday the 14th vs. the Wizards," Green said. "That's the date that I'm targeting, I'm excited as hell. It's been two and a half months by the time I've played. I've never missed that much time during season, I once had an ankle injury that kept me out for a very long time in high school, but it was the offseason. This is something different for me, so I'm extremely excited to get back out there with my guys to try and help right this ship."
When Green was originally sidelined with this injury it wasn't considered serious, but after the initial timeline turned from a couple weeks to over two months, his return date was constantly murky. Just a few days ago it was reported that there was no definitive timeline for Green's return, and that he could miss the remainder of the regular season. However, while announcing that he's targeting a return for march 14, Green said on Twitter, "Only if y'all knew where I was, even four weeks ago Hell, even two weeks ago."
If Green is able to return next week, it'll be a major boost for a Golden State team that has struggled mightily at times on both ends of the floor without him. The Warriors are currently on a four-game losing streak, and have been porous on defense without Green to anchor them. Golden State is allowing 7.3 more points per 100 possessions since Green has been out, and have dropped from the No. 1 defense in the league to 10th during that span.
On offense, Stephen Curry's has been tasked with a bigger playmaking role without Green. While his assist numbers have been up, opposing teams have been trapping Curry more, forcing the ball out of his hands. Without Green on the floor as a secondary playmaker, a lot of those off-ball screens that makes Curry so dangerous without the ball in his hands have been limited. Getting Green back will take some pressure off Curry to do everything, and will also open up the game offensively for other guys on the floor.
The timing of Green's potential return is also ideal as the Warriors prepare for the playoffs. It'll be a fight down the stretch between Golden State and the Memphis Grizzlies to decide the No. 2 seed in the West as they're tied right now, and Green's return could help swing things in their favor.
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