Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Why Is Draymond Green Not Playing Tonight? Warriors vs Kings Starting Line-Up Reviewed

Originally posted on EssentiallySports | By Caroline John | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 12:15 AM ET

We aren’t going to see Draymond Green prove his point on defense tonight. The Warriors ruled out the forward for Wednesday night’s game, the second of a back-to-back schedule . Fans watching the Warriors face off against the Kings aren’t going to get the star power they expected. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler too are sidelined for this game. Without them, the starting lineup is shifting from its veteran core.

Green is reportedly dealing with a rib injury. The exact nature of it, how severe and how long it will keep him sidelined has not been revealed.

He joins Curry, who’s down with an illness, on the inactive list. Jimmy Butler left the game midway yesterday due to lower back soreness and remains sidelined for the same.

Without the three veteran superstars, the lineup is going to look a lot younger. While Jonathan Kuminga and Quinten Post maintain their starting positons, Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, and Moses Moody will join them in place of Green, Curry, and Butler.

Draymond Green (rib) listed out Wednesday.

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 6, 2025

Podziemski might be the surprise in this lineup. The 22-year-old had been monitored day-to-day for his wrist injury yet continues to have productive minutes. He played 24 minutes against the Suns yesterday and tallied 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. In the same game, Dray had 2 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists across 33 minutes.

The Warriors are also down Alex Toohey and De’Anthony Melton. The anxiety for fans is higher without the three big stars. However, the attention on Dray is of a different kind right now.

Draymond Green infuriated sports fan

The former Defensive Player of the Year stirred a huge debate after Kevin Durant emphasized on offense to win titles. Draymond Green fired back by all but parroting Nico Harrison on defense wins championships argument. Fans weighed in and it turned ugly.

Dray didn’t let this one fizzle out before he united sports fans with ragebait. On the latest episode of his self-titled podcast with Jordan Schultz, Green slammed the highest paid NFL player, Dak Prescott for his lack of playoff success.

“He’s getting some numbers and they stink,” said Green. “Dak’s a bum. You will never win with Dak. I have won four championships. You gotta understand, when I say bum, I’m not saying Dak Prescott isn’t a good NFL quarterback. Of course, he is a good NFL quarterback. I’m not saying that. But when the money’s on the line, when it’s for all the marbles, who are you?”

The name-calling, especially, rubbed Stephen A. Smith, NFL pros-turned-analysts, and Cowboys fans the wrong way. It’s almost getting entangled with the parallel debate on Durant and how Green called him when they were struggling in the playoffs too.

Green won’t be facing the heat from this tonight. Maybe Friday, when the Warriors are hopefully well-rested to take on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Green is expected to return this game but Curry’s and Butler’s statuses are still vague.

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: