A Royal Pain
Fansided

Is Draymond Green playing tonight? Latest injury update for Kings’ home opener vs. Warriors

By Elaine Blum

Apr 26, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles next to Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the third quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles next to Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the third quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just by location, the Kings and Warriors are set up to be one of the greatest rivalries in the league, especially now that meaningful basketball has returned to Sacramento.

Taking on the latest NBA dynasty is no easy task for a team as inexperienced as the Kings but most of the players are excited and feel ready to rise to the challenge.

Fans and the league itself seem just as excited, if not more. After they fought a thrilling seven-game series in the 2023 playoffs, the NBA schedule has the two teams meet for the Kings’ home opener tonight, during rivals week, and for several nationally televised games.

A big part of what sparked the idea of a new California rivalry was the way Draymond Green and Domantas Sabonis went at each other during the playoffs. Green is an agitator. He likes to get under opponents’ skins and rile them up. When his team faced the Kings in the first round, he was no different.

Kevon Looney made it tough for Sabonis to grab any rebound, but mentally going up against Green seemed to be the bigger challenge for Sacramento’s big men.

The two went at it all series long, eventually leading to a sequence in which Sabonis landed on his back and grabbed Green’s ankle while he was trying to get to the other end of the court.

In return, Green stomped on his chest, earning himself an ejection, a one-game suspension, and the title of Public Enemy Number 1 in Sacramento.

Is Draymond Green playing tonight?

Kings fans will be disappointed to hear that Green is not playing tonight. After suffering an ankle injury in late September, the Warriors’ quarterback is still ramping up. While his ankle is reportedly doing well, he has to regain his conditioning before stepping on the court.

For Kings fans, that means they will either have to direct their boos at the Warriors’ bench or find a new target. Even without Green, it should be a thrilling game, however.

Will Draymond Green be available for the next match-up vs the Kings?

The Kings and Warriors will meet for the second time this season on November 1 on NBA TV. While we can’t say for sure if Green will be available, it seems rather likely. He is already a full participant in practice and should be ready to make his regular season debut soon.

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