"No Light At The End Of The Tunnel": Troubling Reports on Draymond Green Injury

 

The Golden State Warriors are a completely different team without Draymond Green. Since going out with a back injury 9 games ago (the same date of Klay Thompson's return) the Warriors are 5-4, completely losing their grip on 1st place in the Western Conference, now 3.5 games back of the Phoenix Suns. Overall, they're 6-7 this season without Draymond in the lineup.

And the word from NBA insider Marc Spears doesn't paint a pretty picture for the Dubs. Although Draymond is supposed to be reevaluated next Monday, Spears said on NBA Today, "right now, I keep hearing there's no light at the end of the tunnel. And I'm wondering if perhaps this could go a little longer."

Although the injury was first called a calf injury, it has been determined it's related to a disc problem in Green's lower back. His importance to this team, on both ends of the floor, cannot be underestimated.

"He's the heart and soul of this team," Spears said. "The same way we saw with [Rudy] Gobert's absence and how much it's hurt the Utah Jazz, I think you're seeing that with the Warriors right now. They need him on both ends of the court. But it's very uncertain when Draymond might be back."

Dubs just aren't the same without Draymond 👀 pic.twitter.com/gQNQxVs25i

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 21, 2022

To make matters worse, Klay Thompson, after just 8 games in his return from a 2 1/2 year absence, missed the Warriors' last game, and is questionable for Tuesday night's contest with the Dallas Mavericks, due to soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee. 

Coach Steve Kerr lists him as day-to-day, and says they're just being extra cautious with Klay.

Photo Credit:  Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports