Warriors Adjust Without Stephen Curry as Steve Kerr Explains Why Draymond Green Is Sitting Late in Games

The Golden State Warriors have shockingly won two of their last three games, despite being severely short-handed and missing Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis, and other key rotation players. In a surprising twist, the common pattern in both wins has been the absence of Draymond Green on the floor during crunch time.

Head coach Steve Kerr joined the Willard and Dibs Show to discuss how the Warriors have managed to stay afloat and why Green has found himself watching from the sidelines during fourth-quarter minutes.

Kerr: “Everything Is Different Without Steph”

Kerr made it very clear: the Warriors without Curry are simply a different team, especially on offense.

“It’s a lot different without Steph. Losing Steph impacts our offense in some really dramatic ways… Steph really negates almost every spacing issue just because he’s that good.”

Without Curry — and without Jimmy Butler, who is also out — Kerr acknowledged the team has had to rebuild its offensive identity on the fly:

“Without Steph and Jimmy, we’re struggling to score at times, and we’re finding we’re better off playing one big. And if Al is playing like he did last night, then we’re going to stay with Al and stay smaller around him.”

(Al refers to Al Horford, recently acquired as a veteran big man.)

Kerr added that the rotation is fluid and likely to evolve week to week as bodies return.

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Draymond Green Benched in Back-to-Back Wins

This is where the storyline becomes significant.

• In the Warriors’ 101–97 win vs. the Phoenix Suns, Draymond Green was benched for the final 7 minutes of the fourth quarter.

• In the 114–113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Green again sat the final 9 minutes of the fourth.

And it wasn’t only an offensive-spacing issue.

Defense Is Also Working Better Without Him

For the first time in years, the Warriors appear more functional defensively without Green down the stretch. The 36-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year is no longer the all-world defensive anchor he once was, and the team’s analytics have increasingly reflected that reality.

Kerr did not deny that the Warriors have adjusted expectations regarding Green’s role.

Kerr: Draymond Understands What Stage of His Career He’s In

Kerr emphasized that these changes are not surprises to Green — the two have had ongoing conversations about how veteran stars must evolve.

“We talk all the time. He understands where he is in his career and where our team is… We’ve had really good conversations about how the last couple years of your career usually go, and how you have to adapt and adjust.”

Kerr then explained how great players reinvent themselves when athleticism or impact begins to dip:

• Magic Johnson learning to shoot more.

• Jason Kidd transitioning into a stationary shooter later in his career.

• Michael Jordan moving to the post and relying on fadeaways.

• Tim Duncan shifting from offensive superstar to defensive anchor.

Kerr specifically highlighted Tim Duncan as the ideal model for aging gracefully — acknowledging diminished primacy while still contributing in meaningful ways.

The Reality: Draymond’s Defense Alone Doesn’t Offset His Offensive Limitations Anymore

Kerr’s comments make it clear:

• Without Curry, the Warriors cannot afford a non-scoring forward on the floor in crunch time.

• Green’s defense is no longer enough to justify closing games when his offensive limitations shrink spacing and scoring options.

This signals a redefining of Green’s role — potentially the beginning of his transition into a more selective, situational contributor rather than a nightly closer.

The Beginning of the End — But on Draymond’s Terms

Warriors fans can take comfort in one thing: Kerr strongly hinted that the franchise wants Green to end his career in Golden State, likely allowing him a graceful exit rather than pushing him out via trade.

This is not the Warriors turning their back on Green — it’s the natural evolution of a dynasty aging out of its prime and reallocating responsibilities as needed.

What Comes Next?

• Green will likely have to accept lighter minutes and non-closing roles in certain matchups.

• The Warriors will continue experimenting with smaller, faster lineups.

• Once Curry returns, roles may shift again — but the writing is on the wall for Draymond’s long-term role.

The final act of the Warriors dynasty is playing out in real time… and Green’s adaptation will determine how gracefully that chapter ends.