What Draymond’s likely absence against Nuggets means for the Warriors

What Draymond’s likely absence against Nuggets means for the Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

DENVER — The last two players to leave the court after the Warriors’ practice Monday at Ball Arena were those who did not see the court during the second half of Saturday night’s loss to the Suns in Phoenix.

While Moses Moody was seen chatting at length with coach Steve Kerr after practice, Kyle Anderson’s role could be amplified Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets due to some unfortunate news for the Warriors. Draymond Green did not practice Monday due to left calf tightness, and the Warriors initially listed him as questionable for the next day’s game.

In trying to end a four-game losing streak, Kerr took Green’s status a step further after practice, making it clear he didn’t expect him to play.

“I would say it’s doubtful,” Kerr said. “We have to be careful. … Doubtful tomorrow, we’ll see how it holds up.

This changes the identity of the Warriors immensely, especially when trying to contain Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokić, who essentially does everything for his team offensively. The three-time NBA MVP leads the Nuggets in points per game (29.6), rebounds per game (13.2), assists per game (10.7) and is tied for the lead in team for interceptions per game (1.5). Jokić is also second on the team in field goal percentage (56.2%) and 3-point percentage (50.8%).

There’s no way to stop it, just the hope of containing it, which Anderson has done to some extent in the past.

No one on the Minnesota Timberwolves guarded Jokić that much last season, not even four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Anderson spent just over 13 minutes guarding Jokić in four regular-season games, and Joker scored 35 points on 11-of-20 shooting but committed three turnovers with just one assist.

For comparison, Green faced Jokić once last season for a total of seven minutes and 13 seconds. During that span, Jokić scored 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting and had six assists with no turnovers, but made only one of his four 3-point attempts. Overall, Jokić finished with a triple-double of 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists in a 16-point victory in the only matchup Golden State had against Green last season.

Anderson’s combination of length, standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and top-notch basketball IQ gives him the ability to disrupt Jokić at times, Kerr believes.

“He’s got long arms, he’s really strong and he’s got a big brain,” Kerr said of Anderson. “He’s smart – smart, smart, smart. Kyle just understands the angles. He knows the trends, he knows the scouting report, he watches basketball and loves the game. He knows what people are trying to accomplish.

“Kyle is really good defensively.”

After whistling and shaking his head, Anderson revealed the near-impossible task he was trying to guard Jokić.

“He’s a nightmare down the block, on the elbow, he bounces the ball 94 feet, he can hit you with outlet passes that not a lot of people in the league can do,” Anderson said. “It’s truly a nightmare once he steps on the floor of all areas.”

While Kerr looks to make the most of the Warriors’ deep rotation, Anderson is averaging just 15 minutes per game, his lowest level since his third year in the NBA. But the 11-year veteran ranks second on the team in defensive rating at 100.9.

Anderson appreciates Kerr’s openness and honesty regarding his fluctuating minutes and his role on his new team, shrugging off any alternative animosity.

“Steve just let me know what was going on,” Anderson said. “Some places you’re buried and you don’t hear from the head coach, so just to hear Steve, it meant a lot to me.”

Center Kevon Looney, who has not started a game during the 2024-25 NBA season but started the second half Saturday at Phoenix, has the Warriors’ best defensive rating (99.8). Looney also saw Jokić the most of any Warriors player last season, guarding him for 25 minutes. Jokić had 42 points and 13 assists, but also turned the ball over four times and finished 3 of 11 from deep.

Trayce Jackson-Davis has started every game at center so far for the Warriors this season and spent seven minutes on Jokić as a rookie last year. Jackson-Davis committed five fouls on Jokić, leading to 12 free throw attempts, and the elder big man had 18 points – including 10 free throws – along with three assists but two turnovers.

“Really what we want to remember is his passing,” Jackson-Davis said. “Getting his assists, getting his teammates involved – we know he’s going to score. He’s taken on a lot of responsibility this year, especially being a scorer, so if we can take out some of his guys and obviously double him, do what we need to do…it’s going to be a tough, physical game.

The two traditional centers, Jackson-Davis and Looney, will see a lot of Jokić and will likely be the first to cut down the tree. A game ago it looked like Anderson might be left out of the rotation.

Now, he might just be the antidote needed to slow Jokić down just enough to keep the Warriors from losing their fifth straight game, as well as their eighth straight to the Nuggets. Green’s likely absence will require nothing less than a complete team effort.

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