Warriors' Draymond Green scratched pregame in Memphis with back pain

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Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots against Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan during the first half Tuesday in New Orleans. (Matthew Hinton/Associated Press)


MEMPHIS - The injury report for the Golden State Warriors lengthened pregame Wednesday night.

Already down Stephen Curry (runner's knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and De'Anthony Melton (left knee injury management), the Warriors scratched Draymond Green (low back injury management) in the hours before their matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. Green played 32 minutes Tuesday in a four-point loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, winning them by eight with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

Speaking pregame at FedExForum, head coach Steve Kerr said Green was "beaten up" from playing the Pelicans and his back "acted up" Wednesday afternoon. Green was also scratched Sunday pregame before the Warriors played the Denver Nuggets. Kerr said he's hopeful Green can return to play Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Green turns 36 next week and is 48 games into his 14th season, logging 8.5 points (41% shooting, 32% 3-point shooting), 5.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He's also averaging 26.6 minutes, the fewest since his second season. Kerr indicated there isn't a big-picture plan to manage Green's workload the rest of the season.

"It's just manage it, day by day, week by week, see how he's feeling," Kerr said of Green's back. "You just can't really plan with any player, period. It's hard to plan ahead. But with the older guys you absolutely have to monitor them and pace them and give them the chance for recovery to avoid bigger injury."

Kerr didn't have an update on Porzingis, who missed his third straight game Wednesday night. He said pregame Tuesday in New Orleans he's optimistic the big man can also return to play Saturday.

This article originally published at Warriors' Draymond Green scratched pregame in Memphis with back pain.

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