The Golden State Warriors knew they would be shorthanded in Charlotte on Wednesday night after Steph Curry was ruled out for at least the next two weeks with a sprained ankle he suffered on Monday night.
Joining Curry on the inactive list for Wednesday night will be All-Star center Draymond Green, who was listed as “questionable” on Tuesday’s injury report with shoulder soreness. The Warriors made his absence from the game official on Wednesday evening.
Draymond Green (shoulder soreness) will not play tonight at Charlotte.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 6, 2017
Green’s absence likely means more playing time for rookie Jordan Bell, who has impressed in limited minutes this season for the Warriors. Bell is averaging 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game, and has proven the ability to produce at a high level when given some extended burn.
In Orlando, Bell dropped 16 points in 16 minutes, which were career-highs in both categories. Against the Hornets, Bell will have a unique challenge in facing Dwight Howard, who has had a resurgence of sorts in Charlotte this season. While Green and Curry will both sit out, Golden State remains a five-point road favorite over the Hornets.
Green catching a game of rest for some soreness follows suit with what we’ve seen from the Warriors all season in terms of giving players rest when possible if the player is banged up, even with a relatively minor injury.
