Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Warriors' Steve Kerr Sends Message to Timberwolves on Ugly Draymond Green Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated May 9, 2025 8:29 PM ET

Warriors star Draymond Green continues to be a lightning rod for attention in what has been a ragged playoff run for Golden State to this point, with a key inflection point coming on Thursday in Minnesota. There, the Warriors were soundly beaten, 117-93, by the Wolves with Stephen Curry (hamstring) out of the lineup.

But in the game, Green was whistled for delivering an elbow to the face of Minnesota's Naz Reid as part of a follow-through after a Reid foul. That was a tehcnical foul, his fifth of the playoffs, inching him close to a suspension--seven techs in one postseason nets a player a suspension.

Off the floor, in the fourth quarter, a fan was also ejected from the game for hurling, "racially charged" comments at Green. The team explained in a statement:

“The team is continuing to investigate and additional action may be taken. The Timberwolves and Target Center are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all. Racist, hateful, or threatening behavior has no place at our games or in our community and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

Steve Kerr thanked the Timberwolves organization for their swift action in regard to fan incident with Draymond Green. "The Wolves handled that beautifully and Draymond is handling it well." Kerr said he talked to Draymond today about incident and also his technical count.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 9, 2025

On Friday, coach Steve Kerr addressed the incident for the first time.

According to Warriors beat writer Anthony Slater, Kerr thanked the Timberwolves. "The Wolves handled that beautifully and Draymond is handling it well," Kerr said.

Kerr also added that he does not view all of Minneapolis through the lens of that interaction.

"I never take words from one person and label a city with that. There's just going to be individuals -- sometimes they're drunk, whatever -- who cross the line. It's unfortunate. But it doesn't at all impact my view of Minneapolis," he said.

Green, for his part, took criticism for his postgame comments, which were heated--despite the fact that the foul he delivered to Reid was clearly worthy of a tech.

"The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”

Draymond Green shared a postgame statement after the Golden State Warriors game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

@anthonyVslater pic.twitter.com/Odi099LppY
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 9, 2025

“I’m not an angry Black man, I’m a very successful, educated Black man with a great family,” Green said. “And I’m great at basketball, I’m great at what I do. The agenda trying to make me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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