SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — NBA player Draymond Green has been reinstated by the league after serving a 12-game suspension, sources reported. The Golden State Warriors forward is expected to need approximately one week to ramp up before returning to game action.
Green, who had been away from the team during his suspension, will rejoin the Warriors at their practice facility on Sunday, according to sources.
The suspension came after Green struck Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during a game on December 12. The NBA stated that Green has shown a commitment to conforming his conduct to the expected standards for players in the league. He participated in meetings with a counselor and representatives from the NBA, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association.
These meetings, conducted over video calls and including Green’s agent Klutch CEO Rich Paul, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., and team trainer Rick Celebrini, were part of the conditions set by the league for Green’s reinstatement. The league’s proposed path toward reinstatement included counseling due to a series of on-court incidents involving Green, including a chokehold on Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed support for the league’s approach, emphasizing the need for Green to change his behavior both on and off the court. During Green’s absence, he had limited contact with Kerr and his teammates, as both parties deemed space to be important.
The suspension cost Green just under $2 million, while saving the Warriors nearly $9 million on their projected luxury tax bill. The team went 7-5 during Green’s absence and has a record of 10-10 when he has been unavailable.
Upcoming games for the Warriors include matchups against the Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks.