Why Draymond Green walked out mid-game on his team

The Golden State Warriors secured a comfortable victory Monday night, but the 120-97 win over the Orlando Magic was overshadowed by an intense confrontation between forward Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr. The clash occurred during a third-quarter timeout, resulting in Green walking off to the locker room while his teammates remained on the bench.

Green spent several minutes away from the team before returning to the sideline for the game’s conclusion. However, Kerr made it clear that the veteran forward wouldn’t see any additional playing time following the incident, regardless of the game’s outcome.

The coach addressed the situation with measured words following the game, acknowledging the disagreement while maintaining privacy around the specific details. Kerr explained that he called the timeout because he felt the team had lost its focus during that stretch of play. What followed was an exchange that escalated beyond typical coaching moments, prompting Green to make the decision to step away from the situation entirely.

Green explains his decision to leave

The four-time NBA champion defended his choice to exit the huddle, stating that he recognized the situation wasn’t going to improve in that moment. Green felt that removing himself was the best course of action for everyone involved, preventing the disagreement from escalating further.

Before the incident, Green had contributed nine points and seven rebounds in nearly 18 minutes of action. His availability was particularly noteworthy given that he had been ejected early in the second quarter during Saturday’s game against Phoenix after receiving consecutive technical fouls.

Green emphasized that while he was physically able to continue playing, the decision wasn’t his to make. By the time he returned to the bench, his body had also stiffened up, making it less practical for him to re-enter the game. The veteran forward stressed his commitment to his teammates, explaining that he felt obligated to return to the bench rather than remain in the locker room for the game’s duration.

Team’s struggles fuel frustration

The Warriors’ disappointing 15-15 record has clearly contributed to rising tensions within the organization. Green acknowledged that the team’s underperformance compared to expectations likely played a role in the emotional outburst. He described basketball as an inherently emotional game where feelings sometimes overflow, characterizing the incident as a natural consequence of competitive intensity and frustration.

After rejoining his teammates on the bench, Green felt a responsibility to address the media about what transpired. Assistant coach Anthony Vereen accompanied him during his return from the locker room, providing support during the tense situation.

Teammates and coach move forward

Stephen Curry, the team’s star guard, downplayed the severity of the exchange when asked about it postgame. He characterized the interaction between Kerr and Green as simply a conversation, declining to elaborate further since it involved two other people. Curry noted that the locker room atmosphere remained positive after the victory and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to handle matters professionally.

Guard Brandin Podziemski praised Green’s behavior after returning to the bench, calling him a great teammate throughout the remainder of the game. Podziemski expressed confidence that the situation would be resolved internally.

Looking ahead

When asked whether the issue might have lasting effects, Kerr firmly said no. He emphasized the team’s readiness and pointed to the night’s performance as evidence of their ability to move past difficulties. The coach praised the group’s effort, particularly highlighting what he considered a brilliant first half despite some missed shots.

Kerr also made a point of recognizing Green’s importance to the franchise, calling him a champion and noting their long history together. He acknowledged that Green had played well before the incident occurred and stressed that the team needs him going forward. The coach’s comments suggested an eagerness to put the incident behind them and focus on improving the Warriors’ standing as the season progresses.