After missing the last 30 games, Draymond Green returns to the court and makes a 3-pointer. (0:48)
Stephen Curry might have wished for a better birthday present when Draymond Green checked in to the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
They played as a trio with Klay Thompson for 1,005 days.
After Green entered the game at the 4:47 mark of the first quarter, Curry called a play that required Green to be the floor general, bringing the ball up the court and directing traffic. The play ended with a Curry 3-pointer.
Green said that he was thrown in the fire. I was very thankful that it allowed me to settle down.
That is one thing I won't forget. I may not remember a lot of things, but I will always remember how to get him the ball.
With his right-hand man by his side, Curry finished the night with 47 points on 16-of-25 shooting, including seven 3-pointers, all of which he made with Green on the court. Curry scored 41 of his points when playing next to Green.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that there was a correlation between Curry's night and Green's return.
As soon as Draymond got out there, the chessboard changed for Steph. Everything looks and feels different with Steph.
Over the past 10 years, the two-man game has become well-established. The combination of Curry's ability to score from anywhere and Green's court vision and passing makes it an unbeatable tandem.
Green said that he sees things that can be done that can help Curry. You still have to screen, and you have to find him in good spots and make sure he gets good shots and easy looks.
Green and Curry shared the court for just 15 minutes against the Wizards, as Green was playing under a 20 minutes restriction. They put up a 169.7 offensive efficiency when playing with each other.
Golden State shot 69% from the field, including 9-of-15 from 3, and had a plus-23 point differential. The Warriors were defeated by six when Curry was not with Green.
Curry said it was chemistry and understanding how to create good looks when he was coming off the ball.
Green offered his opinion.
Green said that there is no Draymond without Steph. We are aware of that. Over the last 10 years, it has been a beautiful partnership.
In typical Green fashion, his individual stat line did not stand out, as he finished with 6 points, 7 rebound and 7 assists in 20 minutes. He had a team-high plus 24 net rating.
Curry said it was a clinic about how to impact the game without being one of the players taking all of the shots.
Curry said that Green is amazing at reading plays and knows how to sacrifice his body. He has been helping me and Klay get open for a long time.
Thompson agreed.
He said that Green would get us open shots. Just gets us going.
This has always been the style of Green. He has been under the radar in terms of his importance to the team. The impact Green has when he is not out there was highlighted over the past two months.
His showing against the Wizards was an example of what he means to the team when he is available.
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