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Kendra AndrewsESPN
DENVER — Draymond Green is targeting March 14 as his return date from the lower back injury that has held him out since January.
“Next Monday, the 14th, against the Wizards. That is the date I am targeting,” Green said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” “I am excited as hell. It’s been two and a half months, almost … I have never missed that much time during the season … this is something different for me. I am extremely excited to get back out there with my guys to try right this ship.”
Green last played a full game on Jan. 5. He started the Warriors’ game against the Cavaliers on Jan. 9 in honor of Klay Thompson‘s return but exited only a few seconds after tipoff. He went on to miss the next 25 games and Golden State has gone 13-12 in his absence. By the 14th, he will have missed 29 games.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Green could return in the next seven to 10 days. Several members of the Warriors organization told ESPN that Green’s return was nearing, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he was “optimistic” the former Defensive Player of the Year would be back soon.
“He’s done really well with his rehab,” Kerr said ahead of Golden State’s game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday. “I got a report today that he got another rehab session in on the court. And he’s had about a week, a week and a half now of being on the court, getting a lot of shots ups, scrimmaging. So he’s feeling a lot better and is coming along.
The Warriors will host the Wizards on March 14 at Chase Center in San Francisco.