When Draymond Green limped off the court during Golden State Warriors’ November 21, 2025, loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, no one expected it to be more than a tweak. But when the 35-year-old four-time All-Star missed the next game — and then the one after that — fans held their breath. The injury? A sprained right foot, triggered when Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan tumbled onto Green’s foot during a loose-ball scramble. An MRI on November 24, 2025, brought relief: no ligament tears, no bone bruising. Just pain. Just inflammation. Just enough to keep him out — for now.
Warriors’ Frontcourt Crisis Deepens
Green wasn’t the only one sidelined. The Golden State Warriors were down to their last line of defense in the frontcourt. Forward Jonathan Kuminga, 23, missed his seventh straight game with bilateral knee tendinitis — an MRI showed no structural damage, but he told ESPN’s Anthony Slater he still “wasn’t moving right.” Center Al Horford, 38, was out with sciatic nerve irritation, originally misdiagnosed as hamstring tightness after playing just 18 minutes against Portland. The Warriors announced he’d miss at least three games — including the November 24 matchup against the Utah Jazz — and possibly more.
So who started at center? Quinten Post, a 22-year-old rookie with 11 career NBA minutes before the game. Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis got 28 minutes, tasked with guarding Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz’s 29.3-point-per-game machine. Markkanen, who shoots 48.2% from the field and 38.4% from three, was a nightmare match-up for a team that had no true big man. And yet — the Warriors won. 134-117. At Chase Center, located at 500 Warriors Way in San Francisco, California, they opened the second quarter on a 21-0 run. No Green. No Kuminga. No Horford. And somehow, they outplayed a Jazz team missing Kevin Love (rest) and Georges Niang (foot injury).
Green’s Upgrade: A Glimmer of Hope
By Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 9:15 PM Eastern, the tone shifted. The Warriors injury report, updated on Twitter (@WarriorsPR), listed Green as “probable” for the upcoming game against the Houston Rockets on November 26, 2025 — the penultimate game of the NBA Cup tournament. ESPN’s Anthony Slater confirmed the status change, noting Green was still dealing with a “midfoot sprain,” but that he’d participated in light shooting drills and had no swelling. “It’s not confirmed if he’ll play,” Slater wrote. “But he’s moving better.”
Coach Steve Kerr, 59, who’s led the Warriors since 2014, didn’t promise anything. “He’s not 100%, and we’re not going to rush him,” Kerr said during a Sunday press conference. “But the fact he’s even in the building, working, that’s a good sign.” Green, who carries a $27.7 million player option for the 2026-2027 season, is under intense scrutiny. Every minute he misses could affect his long-term value — and the Warriors’ playoff push.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This isn’t just about one player’s foot. It’s about the Warriors’ identity. For years, Green was the emotional engine — the defensive anchor, the playmaker, the trash-talker who turned games with a single block or a perfectly timed pass. Without him, the offense becomes predictable. The defense becomes vulnerable. The team’s chemistry, already strained by injuries to Kuminga and Horford, starts to fray.
And yet — the Warriors won anyway. That’s the twist. They’ve survived without their stars before. In 2022, they won 14 of 16 games without Stephen Curry. In 2023, they won the Western Conference semifinals without Klay Thompson for three games. This team has grit. But this year? The margins are thinner. The roster is older. The competition is hungrier.
Green’s probable status isn’t just good news — it’s a lifeline. The Warriors need him for the NBA Cup. They need him for the stretch run. And if he can play even 20 minutes against Houston, it might be enough to keep their playoff hopes alive.
What’s Next?
The Warriors face the Rockets on November 26, 2025, in what’s expected to be a high-stakes NBA Cup game. Green’s participation remains uncertain, but the medical staff is monitoring his response to treatment. If he plays, expect limited minutes — maybe 15-20 — and a heavy focus on defense. If he sits, the Warriors will rely on Post, Jackson-Davis, and a small-ball lineup featuring Andrew Wiggins at power forward.
Meanwhile, Kuminga is expected to return before December 1, according to sources close to the team. Horford’s timeline is less clear; sciatic issues can linger for weeks. And the Jazz? They’re quietly rebuilding. With Walker Kessler out for the season and their frontcourt depleted, they’re testing young players like Dalton Knecht and Ochai Agbaji — a sign they’re already looking ahead to next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious is Draymond Green’s foot injury?
Green’s injury is a midfoot sprain with no structural damage, according to MRI results from November 24, 2025. While he’s listed as probable for the Rockets game, he’s still experiencing pain and swelling. The Warriors are managing his minutes carefully — he’s not expected to play heavy minutes, if he plays at all. His recovery timeline is being monitored closely ahead of the 2026-2027 season, where his $27.7 million player option hangs in the balance.
Why did the Warriors win without Green, Kuminga, and Horford?
The Warriors’ 134-117 win over the Jazz came thanks to a dominant 21-0 second-quarter run fueled by ball movement and aggressive perimeter defense. Stephen Curry scored 31 points, and Jordan Poole added 27. Rookie Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis held their own against Lauri Markkanen, and the team’s bench outscored Utah’s reserves 42-23. Sometimes, chemistry and execution outweigh star power — at least for one night.
What’s the impact on the Warriors’ playoff chances?
With a 9-9 record as of November 25, 2025, the Warriors are barely above .500 and in the 8th seed in the West. Green’s absence weakens their defense and spacing, especially against elite teams like the Nuggets or Suns. If he misses more than 3-4 games total, their playoff positioning could slip. But if he returns healthy for the NBA Cup and the final 15 games, they remain a dangerous dark horse.
How does this affect Draymond Green’s future with the Warriors?
Green’s $27.7 million player option for 2026-2027 is the biggest question mark. If he returns to form and plays 50+ games next season, he’ll almost certainly opt in. But if his foot continues to bother him, or if his minutes drop below 20 per game, he might consider retirement or a trade to a contender with a lighter load. The Warriors are monitoring his long-term health — not just his short-term availability.
