TITLE: Green and Kerr Exchange Heated Words as Warriors Reach .500 With Rout of Magic
SLUG: warriors-green-kerr-spat-in-win-over-magic
CONTENT:
The Golden State Warriors climbed back to an even 15-15 record on Monday night, rolling past the Orlando Magic by 23 points. Stephen Curry poured in 26 points and Jimmy Butler added 21, but a sideline confrontation between head coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green dominated the post-game conversation.
The dispute broke out during a third-quarter timeout at Chase Center. Television cameras captured Kerr and Green arguing in the huddle before Green walked to the locker room and remained out of the game for the final 20 minutes. “Tempers spilled over, and I thought it was best that I get out of there,” Green told reporters. “It was best to remove myself.”
Green reappeared on the bench in the fourth quarter after teammates Butler, Al Horford and Buddy Hield checked on him. Kerr said he never considered putting the 35-year-old back in: “No, he wasn’t going back in. He left. We moved forward, and the guys played great.”
The veteran’s play has been scrutinized recently. He totaled 13 turnovers in the Warriors’ two previous defeats, and Golden State has been outscored while he was on the floor in each of his last six outings, including by five points on Monday.
Roster Updates
Al Horford: The 39-year-old center, limited to one appearance over the past month because of sciatica, could return for the Christmas Day matchup against Dallas, according to Kerr.
De’Anthony Melton: The guard has logged 15–21 minutes in each of his seven games since returning from ACL surgery. Kerr said Melton can exceed that range if necessary but prefers to keep him near the 20-minute mark for now.
Rookie Spotlight
The Athletic profiled first-year guard Will Richard, detailing his physical transformation in high school and a college career that ended with a national championship. Butler praised the rookie’s willingness to absorb information, calling him “hella smart” and “a hellafied listener.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the inconsistent start, Kerr remains optimistic about the Warriors’ prospects. “Our goal coming into the season was to be a top-four seed, and I still think it’s well within our reach,” he said Sunday. “We know how fast things can flip if we find some momentum.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
