Danny Green started in the Game 3 matchup against Atlanta but exited early after limping off the court. Green remained sidelined the rest of the game, changing from his uniform to street clothes to spectate the remaining three quarters.
When speaking to media postgame, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers was incredibly doubtful Green would suit up in Game 4.
“I’m not ruling him out next game, but I’m ruling him out next game,” Rivers said.
Today, it was revealed that Green will remain sidelined even beyond Game 4. The veteran sharpshooter is expected to miss two-to-three weeks with a calf strain, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The news serves as a gut-punch for a team that was soaring high through the playoffs. Losing the three-time NBA champion Green hinders the team on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the floor spacing his fearsome three-point ability offers will be hard to replicate. On the other end of the floor, his defensive tenacity and high basketball IQ will be sorely missed.
Green is one of the better 3-and-D guys around the league and was influential in the success of the Sixers starting five. His absence will be an obstacle for Philly, but one they are well-equipped for.
“We got a lot of guys that can play,” Joel Embiid said. “Danny [Green] is a big part of what we do so hopefully he is okay.”
Until Green is healthy enough to return, the depth Embiid spoke glowingly of will have to step up in his place. With their sights set on a championship, the Sixers will have to regroup quickly as they process the unfortunate injury news.
Seth Curry and Furkan Korkmaz, the two most likely to pick up the slack left behind by Green, have been excellent lately. Both players have been incredibly efficient, shooting the ball with confidence and knocking down threes at a high rate.
Both players have set new playoff career-highs in the last couple of weeks and seemed primed to keep the Sixers steady while Green heals up. We will continue monitoring the situation, but for now, heavy doses of Curry and Korkmaz seem to be in order.
