The Golden State Warriors got some bad news on Monday afternoon. Star center Draymond Green has been ruled out of the team’s season-opening game against the Phoenix Suns with an ankle sprain. Let’s dive into the Draymond Green injury update as we assess its consequences for the Suns-Warriors odds. If you’re hungry for more action, check out our NBA betting tools or our NBA betting promos!
Draymond Green Injury Update: Star Center Out Tuesday, Suns-Warriors Odds Shift
Draymond Green Injury Update
Draymond Green will miss Golden State’s season opener, per NBA Insider Shams Charania. Green had been dealing with an ankle sprain during the offseason. He had been cleared to begin practicing in 5-on-5s as of Sunday, but whatever optimism about his availability for Tuesday’s opener has since evaporated.
The silver lining for Golden State fans is that Green is likely to return soon. He was filmed running and shooting during Sunday’s practice. However, head coach Steve Kerr has opted to take a cautious approach with the 33-year-old veteran. Green is coming off a 63-game season, his most since 2016-17.
Suns-Warriors Odds Update
The Warriors were trading as slight home favorites for the season opener, but the markets have since swung in the Suns’ favor. The Suns were trading as short as -102, which is where I recommended buying them, on early Monday afternoon. The Suns have since been bid down to -115 or -120 in some spots. The spread, which had Golden State favored by a single point, now favors Phoenix by the same margin.
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The total also moved heavily after the news broke. Green’s absence will hurt the switchability of Golden State’s defense, and it likely means the team will end up starting traditional center Kevon Looney alongside Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Chris Paul. That isn’t a bad starting line offensively, but it’s a rough one defensively, and the total was quickly bid up from 232.5 to 235.
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