Russell back for Warriors after nine-game absence

Golden State guard D'Angelo Russell returned to the lineup for the Warriors' Wednesday road game against the Charlotte Hornets after missing nine games due to a sprained right thumb. Russell averaged 24.3 points and 6.7 assists in 10 games prior to the injury, topped by a career-best 52-point outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 8.

Russell is in his first season with the Warriors. He was an All-Star last season while averaging 21.1 points and seven assists in 81 games for the Brooklyn Nets. Golden State forward Draymond Green (heel) returned from a one-game absence. Green was averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 13 games before Wednesday.