Draymond Green taking notable step towards return from suspension

May 26, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half during game five of the 2022 western conference finals at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

After nearly a month in exile, Draymond Green’s music may be starting to play once again.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Thursday that Green is expected to return to the Warriors facility in the coming days to start ramping up for a return to play. Wojnarowski adds that Green will still miss Thursday’s game against the Denver Nuggets and that conversations are still ongoing about when exactly he will return from his suspension. But Green is reportedly getting closer.

The former Defensive Player of the Year Green has been on an indefinite league suspension since Dec. 13 following his latest violent on-court incident — striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head (video here). Green has now missed ten games and counting (with the Warriors going 6-4 over that span).

Golden State worked with the NBA on the suspension for Green, requiring him to meet certain criteria, including undergoing counseling, before being allowed to return. The 33-year-old has been away from the team facility ever since but appears now to have made significant progress towards meeting the necessary requirements for a return. Thus, Green may ultimately be reinstated from his suspension along the previously-expected timeline.