Warriors’ Draymond Green ruled out vs. Suns with ankle sprain: What’s the concern level?

The Golden State Warriors ruled forward Draymond Green out of Tuesday’s season opener against the Phoenix Suns with an ankle sprain, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

• The team announced last week that Green was “making good progress” after injuring his left ankle during a pickup game at Chase Center ahead of the season.
• He was cleared to begin light on-court workouts, such as shooting drills, last week. The team also said Green would be re-evaluated this past Sunday, with his return to full team practice and scrimmages based on his continued progress.
• Green also missed the Warriors’ preseason games due to the injury.

What’s the concern level?

Not high. Green’s ankle rehab has gone well, considering it was a significant sprain. He advanced through 3-on-3 work into some 5-on-5 live scrimmaging this past weekend. But lead medical decision maker Rick Celebrini has always been cautious in these types of scenarios. Green is trying to get back in playing shape and Celebrini isn’t comfortable enough yet to give the green light, according to Kerr.

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So Green will miss the Suns game but won’t be absent too much longer than that. The Warriors have two days off before a tough road test on Friday against the Kings in Sacramento’s home opener. It begins a stretch of seven of eight games on the road for the Warriors, including games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets. They’ll get him back somewhere in the early portion of that challenging stint of the early schedule, maybe as soon as Friday. — Anthony Slater, Warriors senior writer

How does it impact the Suns game?

Jonathan Kuminga will play a major role and appears ready for a big opportunity. Kuminga led the NBA in preseason points, hitting his 3s at a high rate and getting to the free-throw line a ton. His individual defense will be needed against a Suns team that features Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II will shoulder much of that duty. But no Green is a blow to the Warriors’ defense, which wasn’t good in the preseason without him. Kerr has yet to announce his starting lineup. — Slater

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(Photo: Sam Forencich / NBAE via Getty Images)