Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will aim to return Monday against the Utah Jazz, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Green has missed the team's last five games with a torn ligament and a small bone chip in his left index finger and will be listed as probable for Monday's home game after returning from a three-game road trip.
The Warriors have been playing the last week of games well short-handed, playing three straight games without Stephen Curry, D'Angelo Russell, or Green — all out with injuries. Since then, Russell has returned to post a 52-point, and 30-point losing efforts, though Green's defense and playmaking should provide a spark for the injury-plagued Warriors.
Golden State is expecting to be careful with Green after doling out a four-year, $100 million extension in the summer — especially now that the organization has changed directions after talisman Stephen Curry was sidelined for at least the next three months.
The Warriors will be looking to land a high lottery pick, as well as giving some sound playing time for their young players in hopes to develop them. It's likely Green won't play in every game he's capable of playing with some load management of a series of minor injuries he started the season with.
Green's minutes are also bound to be capped to a lesser amount as head coach Steve Kerr develops rookie Eric Paschall and other contingents like Omari Spellman and Marquese Chriss at the forward/center position.
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