Kevon Looney will have pitch count for Warriors in return vs. Atlanta

The Warriors are finally slated to get their big man, Kevon Looney back from injury, but when he returns he will see a minute restriction.

A bevy of injuries has overwhelmed the Warriors to start the 2019-20 season. However, what feels like a first in a long time, the team is getting some positive news regarding their banged-up squad.

Draymond Green has returned from a hampering sore heel, D’Angelo Russell, and Jacob Evans are progressing. Now, Kevon Looney is expected to be back on the court in the Warriors’ upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Looney’s missed all but 10-minutes of the new season with a neuropathic condition that was affecting his right hamstring. Looney returned to practice with the Warriors G League affiliate last week, and has progressed to practicing in full with the big club on their road trip. Steve Kerr told reporters in Orlando that the plan would be for Looney to return when the team squares off with the Atlanta Hawks.

“Loon is scheduled to play tomorrow,” coach Kerr told reporters in Orlando. “He’ll go through his work today, then his treatment tomorrow morning, and we’ll make a decision then, but the plan is for him to play tomorrow night.”

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Looney would be on a minute restriction when he gets back to the court. Last week both Looney and Kerr mentioned wanting to make sure the UCLA product’s conditioning was under him before seeing game action.

The Warriors are going to be patient with Looney after signing him to a three-year, $15 million contract over the offseason, but his return to the lineup will give the team a viable option inside with experience.