Warriors coach Steve Kerr remains coy on when Draymond Green will return to action as he reveals banned star hasn’t been in the team facility and they’ve ‘been giving him his space’
- Green remains away from the team after punching Phoenix player Jusuf Nurkic
- Including a previous five-game suspension, Green has missed 15 games this season
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr provided minimal updates on forward Draymond Green's return from his indefinite suspension.
Before Tuesday night's game against the Orlando Magic, Kerr addressed the media and gave brief answers about when Green could return.
Kerr said he “hasn't been in the facility; with us it may be that he came alone.'
When asked if he kept in touch with Green, Kerr said he generally tries to let the player sort things out on his own.
“We text, but you know, he's, we gave him his space. He gave us ours,” Kerr replied.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr says the team is trying to leave Draymond Green (above) to his own devices
Kerr (above) says the team “gave him his space. He gave us ours.”
Groen is suspended indefinitely for hitting Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (on the ground)
Green was ejected for the third time this season on December 12 when he punched Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face.
It was about a month after he was seen putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a chokehold, which led to a five-game suspension.
The Nurkic incident led to the league suspending Green indefinitely the day after the blow — a decision agreed upon by both the league and Golden State.
Kerr supported the league's decision to suspend Green, saying the player needed to change his mood.
“The suspension makes sense,” Kerr told reporters on December 14. “For me, this is about more than just basketball. It's about helping Draymond.
“It's an opportunity for Draymond to step away and make a change in his approach, in his life. And that is not easy. You don't say, 'Okay, we're going to play five games.' And then he'll be fine. …That's not the answer, to pick a number. The answer is to help Draymond.”
Kerr added: 'This isn't just about an outburst on the pitch… this is about his life.'
Green has recently participated in Zoom meetings with the league and his team to monitor his progress toward an eventual return to football.