Draymond Green (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors suffered a heartbreaker, falling 119-115 to the Denver Nuggets in their latest NBA Cup game, pushing their losing streak to five. The absence of Draymond Green, who sat out with a tight calf, was a major talking point, not just because of how it affected the game but because of the hilarious sideline moment that went viral.
After starting the season strong with a 12-3 record, they’ve now dropped to 12-8, and injuries plus some up-and-down play have thrown them off course. Green missed his first game of the season, and it was clear his presence was missed.
The Nuggets made the most of the Warriors’ defensive slip-ups, coming back from two double-digit deficits and outplaying them in crunch time. On top of that, cameras caught Green looking pretty fed up on the sidelines, and of course, it didn’t take long for his facial expression, similar to a well-known meme, to become meme gold, with fans on X (formerly Twitter) cracking hilarious jokes.
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Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic, the reigning three-time MVP, had a field day in Green’s absence, dropping a monster 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, five steals, and a block, shooting a crazy 58% from the field. Jokic later acknowledged how important Green is to the Warriors’ defense, saying, “He’s a big factor in how they play on both sides of the basketball.” It was clear that without Green, the Warriors struggled to slow down stars like Jokic and keep their defensive game tight.
The Impact Of Draymond Green’s Injury On The Team
Green’s absence isn’t just a number issue, though. He’s been the glue that holds the Warriors’ defense together. Averaging 8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists this season, his leadership and defensive IQ are essential. Without him, the Warriors seemed lost at times, especially on defense, allowing the Nuggets to capitalize in the big moments.
Injuries to Green and Stephen Curry, who is currently dealing with a lingering knee issue, test the Warriors’ depth and expose their rotations. Sitting at 12-8 and sixth in the Western Conference, they’re in a bit of a slump and need to find a way back to the form they had earlier in the season. Green’s return should help stabilize the defense, but the team needs to find more consistency across the board if they want to get back to their dominant ways.
