Blinksportsnews247After the Golden State Warriors beat the Utah Jazz last night (2/12), Draymond Green told reporters that getting suspended for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head has “helped” the team.
Jonathan Kuminga took his game to another level while Green was suspended and now both players are playing well together with Green back in the lineup.
“Honestly, I think me getting suspended helped in a weird way,” Draymond Green said. “Because JK’s taken off. That has kind of set the stage for our team. Bona fide No. 2 option on our team. Now you got different things we can go to. Our offense don’t look the exact same like it used to look. You’re able to find different combinations that worked.”
The Warriors are 8-4 since Green returned from his suspension. He’s averaging 8.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks.
“While I don’t think getting suspended was a good thing or anything, I do think it helped us find different places to go and explore,” said Green. “Now you include me back in the fight, along with Gary Payton II’s return from injury and Chris Paul’s impending return.”
The Warriors’ record for the season is 26–25. According to the Western Conference standings, they are in 10th position.
Over the course of 27 games this season, Green has averaged 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting 51.1% from the field, 40.6% from beyond the arc, and 78.6% from the free-throw line. Four double-doubles are on him.
The Warriors would have qualified for the play-in round if the season ended today. They would play the ninth-place Los Angeles Lakers. In the 2023 playoffs, Golden State and Los Angeles squared off in the second round; the Lakers emerged victorious in the series after six games.
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