Warriors' Green is in midseason form — but not in a good way

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green. David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Warriors' Draymond Green is in midseason form — but not in a good way

By Sean Keane | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 9:51 PM ET

It only took a little more than a quarter for Draymond Green to get into midseason form.

With a little over 10 minutes to go in the second quarter of the Golden State Warriors' 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in their preseason opener, Green had his first altercation of the season. He set a borderline-illegal screen on the Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt, then got tangled up with Vanderbilt's legs while backpedaling down court after Stephen Curry sank a three-pointer.

The subsequent confrontation with Vanderbilt didn't lead to anything. Green stood over Vanderbilt and both players barked at each other, while safely separated by teammates. It appeared that Green thought Vanderbilt had tripped him on purpose, though the replay showed little evidence of intent from the Lakers forward.

Conflict always finds Green

In fact, ESPN's Richard Jefferson thought Green was telling on himself with his reaction.

Draymond Green and Jarred Vanderbilt get into it after a hard screen from Green, who then tripped over Vanderbilt pic.twitter.com/S4xFeQmJ3R
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) October 6, 2025

"This is what I was thinking," Jefferson told Tim Legler. "Draymond knows that trick."

It's not hard to imagine Green "accidentally" tripping up an opponent while laying on the ground. Green got a flagrant foul on a similar play against the Houston Rockets in the playoffs last season, where he got tangled up with Tari Eason and just happened to see his legs connect with Eason's head.

Another scuffle ensues involving Draymond and Tari Eason pic.twitter.com/U9Ci1MyqfN
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 29, 2025

Green himself has taken issue with tripping in the past, much to his own detriment. During the 2023 playoffs, Domantas Sabonis grabbed Green's ankle to stop him from running down court and Green responded by stomping on his chest. Sabonis got a flagrant foul; Green got an ejection and a one-game suspension.

Draymond Green was ejected after this WWE move he used on Domantas Sabonis pic.twitter.com/CLsr9RWrAV
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 18, 2023

It's not a surprise that Green was getting into it with an opponent. It is a surprise that it happened so early. But Legler had a unique insight about the truly important part of the Green-Vanderbilt play.

"Here's my big takeaway," Legler said. "If they allow Draymond Green to set screens like that all year, Curry is going to average a career high."

Perhaps that's what Green was thinking. If people are talking about his almost-altercation with Vanderbilt, maybe they won't pay attention to his illlegal screens.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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