Warriors Injury News: Draymond Green Missing Kings Game, Kerr Provides Cousins Update

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will be missing the team's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday following an MRI on his left knee.

Green's knee became sore following a scrimmage during Monday's practice this week, causing him to miss their last two days of practice. According to head coach Steve Kerr, there's a little inflammation but he does not expect it to be a long-term hindrance.

"Draymond did not practice today and he won't play in Seattle," Kerr said Wednesday. "Just being careful. He still had a little inflammation this morning. The MRI was good, it was clean, so not any major long-term concern. But just trying to be smart."

"He'll go on the trip with us. We'll see if he practices (Thursday). We're going to practice before the flight, and then no shootaround Friday, and he won't play Friday night," he said.

Green has had knee problems before, particularly with his left knee, having strained it in last season's opener against the Houston Rockets. But like his recent MRI, that one also came back negative and he was cleared to play against the New Orleans Pelicans later that week.

The 28-year-old should be back in action soon and will almost certainly be available on Oct. 16 when the Warriors kick off their 2018/19 season against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One player who will definitely be missing out on the entire preseason is new signing DeMarcus Cousins, as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.

With an expected return to action likely to take place during the Christmas period at the earliest, Kerr refused to give an exact timetable but revealed the All-Star center was progressing well.

"We didn’t really have any expectations in terms of, you know, a timetable," Kerr explained. "So I can’t say that he’s ahead of schedule. He’s definitely not behind schedule. The rehab has gone really well. The problem is with an Achilles, it’s a tricky injury to come back from because there’s a lot of motion and movement. It’s not as simple as a ligament healing in your knee or elbow or something. Your whole body depends on your Achilles for movement and balance and coordination."

"So his Achilles is healed. And now, it’s about all of that other stuff, all the movement. That’s where Rick Celebrini comes into play, our new director of performance here. Rick is great. DeMarcus is working closely with him. But he has taken part in the last two days in practice, all the non-contact stuff. It’s good to get him out there," he added.

It's important for Kerr that he does not rush Cousins back. One of the reasons the Warriors were able to sign him on a one-year deal was the fact that unlike other teams, they could wait on him to fully recover.

This is highlighted by the fact that Kerr is yet to incorporate any plays with Cousins.

"Not yet. We will," Kerr added. "Right now, he’s just getting acclimated. He’s not going to play any time soon. He’s gotta work and get in shape and make sure his body is strong enough to handle the grind. The worst thing we can do is bring him back early and he’s nowhere close right now to that. Doesn’t mean he won’t be close a few weeks from now or a couple months. We don’t know exactly what the date is."

"It’s going to happen, but the frustrating thing for him is … I told him, 'It’s gonna be a long grind. It’s nine months. So be patient.' And he said, 'Well, it already has been a long grind at this point.' I think it was nine months ago, the injury. I feel for him. It’s a long, long process," he said.