Draymond Green, who was reinstated by the NBA this weekend after a 12-game absence, returned to Golden State Warriors practice on Tuesday.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told the media on Tuesday that the club has asked Green to simply leave the officials alone during games.
"Can he walk that line? Can he still play with fire and energy, but leave the officials alone?," Kerr said. "That's the challenge. It is going to be a big challenge.”
Steve Kerr said the Warriors are asking Draymond Green to leave referees alone upon his return.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 9, 2024
“His teammates need that so we can focus on all the details that are eluding us right now.” pic.twitter.com/vMo31zYoLw
Green was suspended for the second time this season last month after hitting Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkić in the face during the Warriors’ 119–116 loss on Dec. 12.
Kerr stressed the point of emphasis is for Green to eliminate his on-court antics that can distract the team from winning.
"We need that, so we can focus on the game. His teammates need that so that we can focus on all of the little details that are eluding us right now," added Kerr. "It's keeping us from being a consistent team. So that is what we are asking of him."
The Warriors, who currently sit in the Western Conference’s No. 12 playoff seed, are 17–19 and have lost five of their last seven games.
Golden State will look to turn their season around when they host New Orleans on Wednesday night at the Chase Center at 8:30 p.m. ET.
