NBA warns Warriors’ Draymond Green after courtside exchange with Pelicans fan
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NEW ORLEANS — The NBA has issued a warning, but no fine, to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green following an on-court exchange with a spectator during Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to information provided to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
League officials reviewed an incident in which Green confronted a courtside fan who repeatedly shouted “Angel Reese” at him, referencing the WNBA standout and former LSU star known for her rebounding records. Green told reporters he initially laughed off the comment, but approached the fan after the chant continued.
The encounter occurred during a second-quarter stoppage. The spectator, identified as Sam Green, 35, of New Orleans, stood as the Warriors forward walked to the baseline for a brief verbal exchange. Referee Courtney Kirkland separated the two after several seconds. Arena security issued the fan a warning but allowed him to remain in his seat.
“It was a good joke at first, but you can’t keep calling me a woman,” Draymond Green said postgame. “I’ve got four kids, one on the way. You can’t keep calling me a woman.”
Head coach Steve Kerr said players may address spectators as long as situations do not escalate. “It would have been nice if security had gotten there a little bit earlier,” Kerr added.
This is not Green’s first league discipline involving fan interactions. He was fined $25,000 in May 2022 for making an obscene gesture toward Memphis supporters after an ejection and received another $25,000 penalty in December 2022 for using profane language toward a fan in Dallas. Sunday’s warning carries no financial penalty.
The Warriors are scheduled to continue their road trip later this week.
Source: ESPN
