Draymond Green Suspension: NBA Reinstates Warriors Star Forward After 12 Games

Golden State forward Draymond Green rejoined the Warriors for a walk-through on Sunday, marking his return to team facilities since his 12-game suspension, according to ESPN.

The league lifted the suspension on Saturday after an indefinite ban was imposed on December 13 following an incident where Green struck center Jusuf Nurkic during a game against the Phoenix Suns.

Coach Steve Kerr expressed excitement about Green's return, highlighting his leadership role within the team.

"Everybody is excited to see him," coach Steve Kerr said Sunday.

"He's one of our leaders and happy to be back. So it's a good vibe," he added.

Draymond Green, 33, participated in the walk-through, engaged in team huddles during timeouts, and is expected to resume game play after approximately one week of ramping up, as reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Reintegration Process for Draymond Green

Coach Steve Kerr expressed uncertainty about Draymond Green's readiness to play in a game after an extended period away from team activities.

Green took part in the walk-through and is set to resume his regular shooting routine.

"He's here, he looks good, he's excited to be here," Kerr said before the game, per the Hill.

Kerr emphasized the need for daily assessment of Green's fitness and readiness. This process includes working with the team's player health and performance vice president, Rick Celebrini.

"We'll just see," remarked Kerr, uncertain about Draymond Green's return to basketball action.

Kerr indicated that he lacked information about the extent to which Green might have been engaged in basketball-related activities during his absence.

The emotional forward, who previously served a five-game suspension in November for an incident involving Minnesota's Rudy Gobert, has been engaged in a comprehensive reintegration process.

The league officially ended Green's indefinite suspension on Saturday, acknowledging his commitment to meeting the conduct standards expected of NBA players.

During the suspension, Draymond Green participated in counseling and joint meetings with representatives of the league, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association.

Warriors' Performance Without Draymond Green

The Warriors navigated a 7-5 record during Draymond Green suspension, who also faced a five-game suspension in November for an altercation with Minnesota's Rudy Gobert, NBA noted.

The league noted Green's "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts" when deciding the recent suspension.

During last season's playoffs, Draymond Green, a four-time NBA champion, had previously been suspended for stepping on the chest of Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis.

Despite agreeing to a new $100 million deal last summer, Green lost nearly $1.9 million in salary during the recent suspension.

With the Warriors currently at a 17-18 record and positioned at the 10th spot in the Western Conference, Green's return is eagerly anticipated.

The team's performance has been inconsistent this season, and Green's impact on the court is crucial for their success.

The Warriors' next game is scheduled for Sunday at home against Toronto.

Draymond Green's presence is expected to bolster the team as they strive to improve their standing in the Western Conference.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Draymond Green REINSTATED by NBA after 12 games - From CBS Sports