D’Angelo Russell is likely to return on Wednesday night in Charlotte after a nine-game absence, while Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green is set to return after a night's rest, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
The two stars returning, coupled with Kevon Looney's return after playing for the first time since the season opener, will give the Warriors 11 healthy bodies. Asked what he will do with so many players available after starting the season with a shortage of them, Steve Kerr joked that he doesn't “know what to do.”
Russell has been impactful when present, trotting out several 30-plus-point games and running a heavy set of pick-and-roll action as the primary offensive initiator. He has shown his value to the team as a playmaker and potent scorer, while also showing a stronger dedication to defense since a sluggish start to the season.
The Warriors have lost three in a row and 13 of their last 15 games, drowning them in a 4-18 start to the season — giving them sole possession of the worst record in the league.
Russell's firepower and Green's defense give an otherwise depleted Warriors roster a solid chance against the Hornets, as he leads the team with averages of 24.3 points and 6.7 assists. The 23-year-old has been among the most efficient Warriors, next to rookie Eric Paschall and Marquese Chriss, but that simply hasn't translated into wins.
At this point, the Warriors aren't very worried about racking up Ws, but rather keeping the few players left healthy enough to tackle a very important offseason that will come with plenty of changes.
Follow Us
Subscribe