Golden State Warriors to be without Draymond Green in opener

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will not play Tuesday night in the Warriors’ season opener against the Phoenix Suns.

Green is recovering from a left lateral ankle sprain suffered during a recovery game three days before the start of training camp. He began light field work a week ago, started 3-on-3 work on Friday and was then elevated to 5-on-5 on Sunday.

Green participated in practice and the controlled scrimmage Monday, but the team is not ready to release him for a game.

“He’s doing great, but we don’t think it would be wise to send him out with so little scrimmage time on the floor,” coach Steve Kerr said. “We will reassess as the days go by.”

The Warriors play their second game of the season Friday in Sacramento.

It’s only the second time in his 12-year NBA career that he’s missed opening night. The last time was in the 2020-21 opener, which he missed due to right foot soreness.

Kerr did not say who will start in Green’s place on Tuesday, although he has experimented with several different starting groups during the team’s five preseason games. Chris Paul, when on the active roster, was in the starting lineup during the preseason.

Although Kerr is optimistic that the Warriors have enough talent to stay afloat during Green’s absence, the coach acknowledges that it will hold the team back to some extent.

“I have a clear vision for our team this year and it’s not going to be on display tomorrow night because we’re not where we should be,” Kerr said. “We’re going to be a lot better in a month or two, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get off to a good start…play well over the next couple of weeks as we get Draymond back in.”