Draymond Green Listed Doubtful for Saturday With Back Injury

Draymond Green is officially listed as doubtful for Saturday with a back injury, meaning the Golden State Warriors are about to lose their defensive anchor and primary instigator all at once.

When Draymond sits, the entire Golden State ecosystem shifts. He is the engine, the enforcer, and the only guy on the roster who can turn a standard pick-and-roll into a WWE main event.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Draymond Green (back) listed doubtful Saturday.'"

The veteran power forward has been battling these lingering back issues for a while now. He is coming off a season where his usage rate plummeted to a career-low 13.1 percent, managing to suit up for just 66 games between the physical wear and tear and his mandatory league timeouts.

For anyone staring at the weekend betting slate, this is a massive swing. Without number 23 on the floor, the Warriors' defensive rating usually takes a nosedive. Opposing big men suddenly have a much easier time getting to the rim when they do not have to worry about a stray limb finding their ribcage.

His absence also forces Steph Curry to work twice as hard just to get open. Draymond operates as Curry's personal offensive coordinator, handing out a massive chunk of his seven assists per game directly to the greatest shooter ever.

If you are holding Warriors tickets or setting a fantasy lineup, plan for him to be in street clothes. Golden State will have to find someone else to set the tone on Saturday, which usually just means asking Curry to score 40 and hoping for the best.