BREAKING: Tensions erupted on the court as Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green clashed during a timeout in the third quarter of their game against the Orlando Magic on December 18, 2023. The confrontation led to Green leaving the bench and missing the final 20 minutes of the Warriors’ decisive 120-97 victory.
The altercation occurred with the Warriors trailing 71-66 after Green committed a turnover. Kerr called a timeout to regroup his team, but a heated exchange ensued, prompting Green to exit to the locker room. “We had it out a little bit,” Kerr stated. “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.”
After the incident, Green spent the final 8:31 of the third quarter in the locker room, where veteran teammates, including Jimmy Butler III and Al Horford, checked on him. Although Green returned to the bench before the fourth quarter, he remained in his warmups and did not re-enter the game.
“Tempers spilled over and I thought it was best that I get out of there,” Green said, emphasizing the need to avoid escalating the situation. This marks the second consecutive game where Green exited prematurely; he was ejected just eight minutes into Saturday’s match against the Phoenix Suns. Kerr confirmed he would not have allowed Green back into the game, stating, “No, he wasn’t going back in.”
Despite the drama surrounding Green, the Warriors capitalized on the momentum shift, with Stephen Curry scoring 26 points, leading the team to a significant win. The victory improves their record to 15-15, alleviating some pressure after previous struggles. “The questions are a little bit more negative than they should be,” Curry commented, acknowledging the team’s positive atmosphere despite the earlier incident.
Green’s recent performance has raised eyebrows, as he committed a total of 13 turnovers in the Warriors’ last two games, intensifying discussions about his play style. However, he defended his performance on Monday, stating, “I had one turnover today. I had the ball the whole time I was in the game.”
In the aftermath of the game, Green had not yet spoken with Kerr about the argument but appeared determined to address the situation. Both players have a history of engaging in heated discussions throughout their 12 seasons together. “We’ve been at this now for a long time,” Green remarked. “Sometimes you’re with people for a long time and there’s a level of comfort and s— happens. We move forward.”
As the Warriors look to build on this win streak, all eyes will be on how Green and Kerr manage their relationship going forward. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as the team prepares for their next matchup.
