Tensions boiled over for the Golden State Warriors on Monday night as veteran forward Draymond Green was involved in a heated confrontation with head coach Steve Kerr before abruptly leaving the court.
A Sideline Explosion
The incident occurred during a third-quarter timeout in the Warriors' eventual victory over the Orlando Magic. Following a discussion in the team huddle that escalated, Green decided to exit the arena floor and retreat to the locker room to compose himself.
"We got into it obviously and I took the timeout just because I thought we lost our focus there a little bit," Kerr explained post-game. He confirmed the pair "had it out a little bit" and that Green chose to go to the locker room to cool off, but declined to elaborate further, stating the matter was private.
Green echoed the sentiment of needing to remove himself from a volatile situation. "Tempers spilled over and I just thought it was best that I get out of there," he said. "I don't think there was a situation where it was going to get better so it was just best to remove myself."
Context of Frustration
The clash comes at a challenging point in the Warriors' season, with the team holding a mediocre 15-15 record. Green suggested the team's underwhelming performance was a factor, noting "that's probably why tempers are flaring." He also clarified that he was prepared to return to the game after his break, but Kerr opted not to re-insert him into the lineup.
This episode follows closely on the heels of Green's ejection for consecutive technical fouls in Saturday's contest against the Phoenix Suns, adding to a sense of simmering frustration within the camp.
A Long-Standing Partnership Endures
Despite the public spat, both Kerr and Green were quick to insist the issue would not linger. "No," Kerr stated firmly when asked if it would cause a lasting problem. He praised Green's play and reiterated his importance, saying, "We need Draymond. He's a champion. We've been together for a long time."
The duo's history is deeply intertwined with the Warriors' dynasty. Green has spent his entire professional career with the franchise since being drafted in 2012, while Kerr has been his head coach since 2014. Together, they have been central figures in securing four NBA championships for Golden State.
Green summed up the incident as a product of a long and successful, yet occasionally fraught, relationship. "We've been at this now for a long time," he said. "Sometimes you're with people for a long time and there's a level of comfort and shit happens. We move forward." Teammate Stephen Curry also downplayed the event, characterising it as a "good conversation" and expressing confidence in the team's professionalism.
