After missing the last three games due to an illness and back injury, Draymond Green returned to the court for the Golden State Warriors on Saturday evening against Jordan Poole and the Washington Wizards.

The middle portion of the Western Conference standings is a forgiving place. The struggling Suns were blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, leaving them tied with the Warriors at 21-21. The Minnesota Timberwolves have fallen to 22-21, and the Warriors already own the tiebreaker over them.

The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors have had a rivalry brewing since their meeting in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, but the series has been unexpectedly lopsided recently. The Kings have beaten the Warriors in four consecutive meetings, the last two being by an average margin of 27 points.

This season, Green is averaging 8.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, but with poor 41.7/36.2/61.5 shooting splits. Green continues to do so much for this Warriors squad but is certainly taking steps back from his prime.

As the Golden State Warriors’ season slowly deteriorates, including a horrific 40-point home loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday, two NBA insiders are suggesting the Warriors strongly consider trading one of their two remaining links to four championships in Draymond Green.

With players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski already sidelined due to injury, another member of the Golden State Warriors has been added to the injury report. On Saturday, Draymond Green exited the game in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards with an apparent injury.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green elaborated on the apologetic message he sent on X in reference to postgame comments made Saturday by Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole during Wednesday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.