UPDATE: In a dramatic turn during last night’s game, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green engaged in a heated exchange that led Green to leave the bench, missing the final 20 minutes of the Warriors’ 120-97 victory against the Orlando Magic on December 18, 2023. The incident occurred during a timeout in the early third quarter while the Warriors were trailing 71-66.
As tensions flared, Green, frustrated after committing a turnover and arguing with officials, walked down the tunnel to the locker room. Kerr expressed concern over the team’s focus, stating, “We had it out a little bit. He made his decision to go back to the locker room to cool off. That’s all I’m going to say about it. Everything is private.”
Green’s departure marks a troubling pattern, as this is the second consecutive game he has exited prematurely. He was ejected after just eight minutes in the previous game against the Phoenix Suns. Kerr made it clear he would not have put Green back in the game, saying, “No. He left. He went back to the locker room. We moved forward and the guys played great.”
“Tempers spilled over and I thought it was best that I get out of there,” Green stated. “I don’t think it was a situation where it was going to get better. It was best to remove myself.”
Despite Green’s absence, the Warriors rallied, led by Stephen Curry, who scored 26 points and shot a perfect six-for-six in the third quarter. Teammate Jimmy Butler III added 21 points, helping the Warriors secure a decisive win that improved their record to 15-15.
The incident has sparked discussions regarding Green’s recent performance, as he accumulated 13 turnovers in the two games prior to this victory. Kerr has been vocal about the team’s need for better ball security. However, Green defended his performance, noting he had only one turnover last night and felt he had effectively run the offense.
In an effort to address the situation, Green spoke to reporters after the game, indicating he had not yet spoken with Kerr but aimed to quell any potential fallout. “We’ve been at this now for a long time… Sometimes you’re with people for a long time and there’s a level of comfort and s— happens. We move forward,” Green explained.
As the Warriors attempt to build on their two-game winning streak, the focus remains on the dynamics between Kerr and Green. Both have a history of on-court disagreements, but they have consistently managed to move past conflicts. “We need Draymond,” Kerr emphasized. “He’s a champion. We’ve been together for a long time… It’s unfortunate what happened, but it happened.”
What happens next for Green and the Warriors will be critical as they look to maintain momentum in a challenging season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for any further developments in this ongoing saga.
