OAKLAND –- Though Warriors forward Harrison Barnes tested his tender left ankle with light drills on Monday, he’s not ready to return to the lineup, interim coach Luke Walton announced.
“He won’t play this week,” Walton said after practice. “It’s nice to have the schedule that we have right now. With only two games the whole week, it would be a good chance for him to get some more rest and we’ll re-evaluate him at the end of the week.”
Barnes sprained the ankle in a win over Phoenix on Nov. 27 at Oracle Arena and left the arena that night on crutches. He went on the recent 14-day road trip but never came close to returning to action.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Barnes punctuated his post-practice session with a dunk, Walton said, but considerably more progress must be made before Barnes can practice without restrictions.
The Warriors are hopeful he will be back before the Christmas Day game against the Cavaliers at Oracle.