Draymond Green’s injury can cause a complete rearrangement of the playoff race. The Warriors are now facing the situation that their defensive player is not able to play due to a mild left calf strain. Without the team’s defensive anchor, this setback came at the most inconvenient of times, especially since they will be facing other important playoff-bound teams in the following days.
Currently, the Warriors have an uncertain record of 21-21, just managing to stay in the playoff race in the tough Western Conference. Next, they are going to meet the Kings, the Bulls, and the Lakers—three teams eager to benefit from Golden State’s misfortune. As a result, the absence of Green has suddenly become a source of worry for the Warriors. It seems they are going to have significant trouble keeping their season on track.
But this isn’t just about the Golden State. Draymond’s absence impacts the entire Western Conference. For example, teams like Sacramento hover just behind the Warriors, and they smell blood in the water. Consequently, with Golden State looking vulnerable, the playoff race just got a whole lot more interesting.
Golden State’s Challenge: Life Without Draymond
It must be acknowledged that Draymond Green is not just a player, he is the spirit of the Warriors. During the match, he performs as the main defender, the facilitator, and the person who makes the team connection. Nonetheless, separating him from the team leads to a net rating drop from a stable +1.0 to a depressing -6.8.
Draymond Green: Mild left calf strain, re-evaluated in a week, I’m told. Rules him out of the next four games at least vs Celtics, Kings, Bulls and Lakers.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 20, 2025
For instance, during Monday’s game against Boston, the Warriors were left to dry out. Without their defensive leader, they performed at an almost catastrophic level of a -40.7 net rating. As Coach Steve Kerr explained, the game fundamentally changes when Draymond Green leaves the court. The Warriors become a completely different team without him, which forces them to rely on a more conventional lineup dominated by shooters.
Players such as Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins must now rise to the challenge and make an impact. Yet, the big question remains—are they truly capable of replacing one of the league’s best and most skilled players?
The timing of the injury couldn’t have been worse. Besides the Bulls, Kings, and Lakers—none of which can be considered pushover teams—these opponents also have their own playoff aspirations. In particular, Sacramento is on the rise and may soon leapfrog Golden State in the standings. If the Warriors cannot resolve their issues quickly, they risk falling far behind in the Western Conference race.
Furthermore, this next stretch isn’t just about surviving without Draymond—it’s about keeping the Warriors’ playoff hopes alive. Every game over the next week carries significant weight. Therefore, how the Dubs adapt could determine the direction of their season.
The Warriors must overcome a major obstacle if they are to pull off wins without their best defensive player. Still, doing so would showcase their depth and resilience. However, if they stumble, the possibility of missing the playoffs could become a harsh reality. Since the Western Conference is so competitive, even the slightest mistake could knock a team out of contention.
In the end, Draymond’s injury results to be more than a speed bump—it is a formative incident. The time is slipping through the fingers of the Warriors. The question now is, are they up to the task, or is this the end of the road for their playoff aspirations?
