PHOENIX — In practices, when coaches review concepts, Draymond Green idly chews his nails.

A basketball savant, he can anticipate plays before they unfold, name many NBA players’ weaknesses and detail all five positions’ responsibilities at any given moment. The problem: Because Green’s on-court IQ is unmatched, he sometimes gets bored when not challenged.

By that measure, the Warriors’ recent wave of injuries was well-timed for an undersized power forward whose playing style requires controlled chaos. Three weeks until the playoffs, after five months dogged by the knowledge that the regular season is just a prelude to the games that matter, Green is adding duties to his sizable workload.

With Golden State’s three other All-Stars — Stephen Curry (tweaked right ankle), Klay Thompson (fractured right thumb) and Kevin Durant (fractured rib) — sidelined, Green has initiated the offense, anchored the defense, played a new position, hoisted more shots and organized teammates. It all is welcome for someone who needs intellectual stimulation to be at his best.

“I think this stretch right now, he’s energized because he’s doing something different,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “He's taking on a slightly different role. It’s good for him.”

By most metrics, Green has again been a do-everything force. His scoring (11.4 points per game), assists (7.4), rebounding (8.0) and shooting percentage (45.5) are up from last season. For the third season in a row, Green was named an All-Star.

Perhaps his most important trait — consistency — has been an issue, however.

In November, while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 students and faculty members at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, Green took responsibility for the Warriors’ first three losses of the season. For reasons he did not reveal, Green was having a tough time finding the emotional bravado that has fueled him since his days playing the older kids at Civitan Recreation Center in Saginaw, Mich.

Though still elite defensively, he hasn’t been dependable enough to make a serious bid for his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. Nagging soreness in his right shoulder has forced Green to miss nine games and at times limited his effectiveness.

As much as any Golden State player, he knows that being ready for the postseason is far more important than any regular-season win. There have been stretches in recent months when Green has seemingly reined in his energy to preserve himself for April, May and June.

Now, with Curry, Thompson and Durant out, Green is being tested in a way he hasn’t been all season. Because the Warriors are thin along the wing, Green has logged significant minutes at small forward for the first time in his career. He has handled the ball more and averaged 17 shots over his past two games, 7.8 above his season average.

In Saturday’s 124-109 win in Phoenix, Green helped kick-start a game-changing 31-9 run in the third quarter. After the Suns cut the deficit to 10 points with less than three minutes left, Green converted on a post-up move inside, blocked a Shaquille Harrison layup attempt and hit a three-pointer — all within a 47-second span — to seal Phoenix’s fate.

“He makes us feel like we’re the best team out there with the way he talks to us and the way he communicates,” point guard Quinn Cook said of Green, who finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes. “You never feel alone out there because Draymond is there for you.”

Green’s load should lighten in coming days. Curry, who missed his fifth straight game Saturday, could return as soon as Friday’s matchup against Atlanta. Both Thompson and Durant are on track to return in time to play a handful of games before the playoffs.

“We know that this is a championship culture,” said Green, who hasn’t been seen idly chewing his nails much lately. “We love winning. No matter who is on the floor, we’re going to try to win every single game.”

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron

Monday’s game

Who: Warriors (53-17) at

San Antonio (40-30)

When: 6:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: NBCSBA, ESPN/95.7