Is Draymond Green playing vs Phoenix Suns? Warriors issue latest update for opening night

Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors will take on Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night to open the NBA season. However, as the defensive big man is dealing with an injury, it looks like he won't be able to suit up for the first game of the season.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the forward won't play on Tuesday as his sprained ankle hasn't fully healed. Before the start of the preseason games, it was reported that Green would miss four to six weeks due to his sprained ankle.

With him out of the starting lineup, the Warriors could opt to have the starting five of Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney. Although the team hasn't released any confirmation regarding their starters for the season opener, there's a huge chance the Warriors will choose those five as their starters.

With this lineup, it's unclear if they can be contenders for the title this season.

Last season, Green averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. This season, the team is expecting him to carry a big load on the defensive end. The front office wasn't able to bring in elite defenders over the summer, which means the two-way forward will focus mostly on defense.

You might also be interested in reading this: “Were they supposed to kiss and makeup?”: NBA fans in shambles as Draymond Green reportedly refused to dine with Jordan Poole

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Draymond Green's fit with Chris Paul this season

One of the most interesting aspects of the Warriors' season is the combination of Draymond Green and Chris Paul in the same lineup. Both stars have a similar playstyle, which could contradict each other's usage. While their similarities are mostly on the offensive side, there's a chance that Green can still stand out.

The Warriors' offense is highlighted by Curry and Thompson's ability to knock down long-range shots. But one aspect of their offense that often gets overlooked is Green's ability to give the Splash Brothers open shots. His screens have been a huge help for the offense to work seamlessly.

Paul, being a 6-foot point guard, will likely struggle to give the Splash Brothers the ball in dribble handoff situations. That's why Green will still be a huge part of their offense this season, despite not being a great shooter.