Green expected to face Lakers
Warriors forward Draymond Green is on track to play in Friday night’s game against the Lakers, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said after practice Thursday.
Green has been dealing with a sore right shoulder since Golden State’s Dec. 4 win over New Orleans. Two days after missing the team’s Dec. 6 win over Charlotte, he returned for the Warriors’ win over Detroit, overcoming a 1-for-6 shooting night with 13 assists, six rebounds, six blocks and three steals.
Green wanted to play in Wednesday night’s win over Memphis, but was held out because he hadn’t had any live on-court work in two weeks. He scrimmaged Thursday with no issues.
“I think it looks good for Draymond,” Kerr said. “I would expect him to play tomorrow, but we’ll have to see how he feels when he wakes up tomorrow morning.”
Green has missed Golden State’s past four games. Over the weekend, Kerr conceded, “It’s a little bit concerning that he hasn’t made more strides, but I still don’t think that there’s a major reason to have concern right now.”
In addition to Green, center Zaza Pachulia appears poised to return Friday. Pachulia, who has missed six of the past seven games with a sore left shoulder, scrimmaged Thursday with no problems. Point guard Shaun Livingston (sore right knee) is doubtful for Friday’s game after missing Thursday’s practice. Forward Andre Iguodala (flu-like symptoms) was well enough to join the team Thursday, but did not practice. He is considered questionable.
Guard Stephen Curry (sprained ankle) was seen getting up shots again after practice, but won’t begin scrimmaging until he is evaluated Tuesday. Rarefied territory: The Warriors reached a milestone with Wednesday night’s 97-84 victory over Memphis: They became the fourth team in NBA history to post a double-digit win streak in five consecutive seasons, joining the San Antonio Spurs (six straight, 2010-11 season to 2015-16 season), Boston Celtics (five, 1970-71 to 1974-75) and Seattle SuperSonics (five, 199293 to 1996-97)
It is Golden State’s 11th double-digit win streak in franchise history and its eighth in the past five seasons. In the wake of the Lakers snapping Houston’s 14-game win streak Wednesday, the Warriors boast the longest active streak in the league.
“It just says we’ve had lots of talent and it’s a good time to be a Warriors fan, obviously, or a Warriors coach,” Kerr said. “This team has been growing and growing over the last six, seven years and these last five have been really special seasons.
“It's fun to be part of the growth of the entire group. I remember doing TV for some of those games five years ago and coming in and watching these young guys with Klay (Thompson) and Steph and Harrison (Barnes). And to be here now when these guys are really in their primes, I'm lucky to be part of it.”