After hitting a career-low field goal percentage with the Denver Nuggets last season due to a wrist injury, Warriors forward JaMichael Green recently revealed that it’s still an issue this year.
“I’ve been battling a little bit of a wrist injury, so it’s been up and down, which is very frustrating because I know what type of shooter I am,” Green told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke on “Dubs Talk.” and Monte Poole, where the Golden State Warriors beat the Toronto Raptors 129-117 at Chase Center on Friday.
“Just to get out of the doldrums and start seeing them come in, man, that’s helped my confidence a lot.”
Green played 16 minutes, 3 of 5 shots, 1 three-pointer and 6 rebounds, scoring 10 points. He returned from a month-long absence due to health and safety protocols and a leg infection last Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his presence was felt immediately despite ongoing problems with his wrist.
Last season in Denver, Green shot a career-low 26.6 percent from beyond the arc after breaking his wrist on March 14. So far in the 2022-23 NBA season, Green is shooting 29.8 percent from beyond the arc — the point line. However, his current 51 percent field goal percentage is his fourth-best mark in nine NBA seasons.
During an introductory press conference with the Warriors in August, Green told reporters he was looking to improve his shooting numbers this year with Golden State after dealing with a wrist injury last season.
“It’s all about representation and confidence,” Green said at the time. “As long as I get my reps, I’ll be happy. I was just fighting for a few things last year and just had a down year. It’s going to pick up.”
On Friday, Green told Burke and Poole that surgery was the “last thing” on his wrist, and he treated the discomfort with cortisone injections.
“It takes rest to heal, so right now, I’m just playing and letting it happen,” Green said.
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With the NBA All-Star break looming, that might be just the rest Green’s wrist needs.
Meanwhile, his Warriors teammates are sure to appreciate Green’s battle against adversity to help his team on the court in its quest for the NBA playoffs.
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