Draymond Green Sits Out Sunday Against Clippers For 'Injury Management'

The Golden State Warriors are officially giving Draymond Green Sunday off against the Los Angeles Clippers, citing "injury management" on the latest injury report.

In modern NBA translation, that usually just means a veteran player is looking at the second night of a back-to-back and deciding his knees would rather not participate.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Draymond Green (injury management) listed out for Sunday.'"

Golden State just handled the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 on Saturday night. Asking an aging defensive anchor to turn around and wrestle with the Clippers less than 24 hours later is how you turn a minor ache into a month-long absence.

The Warriors are sitting at 3-3 in the Western Conference, trying to keep their heads above water in a crowded early-season standings picture. Green has been his usual self, historically hovering around seven rebounds and seven assists while directing traffic on both ends of the floor.

Without him in the lineup, the entire geometry of the Golden State defense changes. Opposing offenses suddenly look a lot more comfortable attacking the paint when they do not have to worry about a four-time champion blowing up their pick-and-roll.

Anyone looking at the Sunday game lines needs to factor in that missing piece. Steph Curry is going to have to shoulder a heavier playmaking burden, and the Warriors' defensive rating is guaranteed to take a hit without their loudest communicator on the floor.

Expect Green to be back in his usual spot when the Phoenix Suns come to town early next week. Until then, the Clippers get a slight reprieve from dealing with the league's premier defensive instigator.