Draymond Green scratched for Klay Thompson’s return with calf tightness

Draymond Green was moments away from playing with Klay Thompson for the first time in 941 days, but the Warriors forward was scratched from the lineup.

Moments before the Warriors tipped off against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center, the team announced that Draymond experience tightness in his left calf during pregame warmups and wouldn't play.

Draymond Green will be on the court for the opening tip-off to honor Klay Thompson but will not participate in the remainder of the game due to left calf tightness he experienced during his pregame warmup.
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) January 10, 2022

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Green still participated in the pregame introduction and was on the court for the opening tip. He wanted to make sure he was part of Thompson's long-awaited return.

The Cavs won the opening tip and Green immediately ran over to foul Darius Garland before exiting the game for Juan Toscano-Anderson.

Green was so hyped for Thompson's return that he couldn't sleep Saturday night.

It's not how Green wanted Thompson's first game back to go, but it's better to be safe than sorry with a calf injury.