Draymond Green Pushes Back on Media Framing After Game 2 Flare-Up
MINNEAPOLIS — Draymond Green is once again at the center of playoff headlines — but this time, his focus isn’t just on basketball. Following his fifth technical foul of the 2025 postseason, Green took aim at what he sees as a racially loaded media narrative.
“I’m not an angry Black man,” Draymond Green said after Thursday’s 107-95 loss to the Timberwolves. “I’m a successful, educated Black man with a great family, and I’m great at what I do. The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it.”
The technical — assessed after a flailing arm struck Naz Reid during a second-quarter collision — pushed Green within two techs of an automatic playoff suspension. While Reid was ruled to have committed the foul, Green’s reaction drew another whistle.
Fan Ejected After Racist Slur Toward Green
The postgame tension wasn’t limited to the court. According to the Warriors’ security team, a fan in the fourth quarter was ejected for using a racial slur toward Green. A second fan reportedly made racially charged remarks and left before they could be identified.
In a swift response, the Minnesota Timberwolves issued a statement:
“Racist, hateful, or threatening behavior has no place at our games or in our community.”
Warriors Preach Composure
With Stephen Curry sidelined through at least Game 4 and the Warriors down 0-2, Green’s leadership is more crucial than ever. Jimmy Butler — now in a hybrid player-coach role — subbed Green out midgame to de-escalate the situation.
“We need him now more than ever,” Butler said. “He knows.”
Steve Kerr echoed the sentiment:
“He’s going to have to stay composed… and I’m confident that he will.”
A Long History of Flashpoints
This postseason adds another chapter to Green’s contentious resume. After multiple suspensions earlier this season — for striking Jusuf Nurkic and putting Rudy Gobert in a chokehold — Green underwent therapy, counseling, and league-mandated monitoring.
“It’s the same thing that makes him a winner… but sometimes he goes over the line,” said Kerr.
In recent weeks, Green appeared to turn a corner, starring in Game 7 vs. Houston and Game 1 vs. Minnesota. But Thursday’s incident has reignited concerns about his availability and control.
Game 3: Crucial for Warriors and Green
The Warriors now head into a must-win Game 3 in Minnesota on Saturday. Green’s availability — and ability to stay composed — may well define whether Golden State can mount a comeback.
“He’s a grown man,” Butler added. “He knows how important every game is — and how important it is that he needs to be out there.”
