The Golden State Warriors are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs, with the series tied 1–1 and home-court advantage now in Golden State’s favor. But amid the playoff tension, head coach Steve Kerr was forced to address an off-court incident involving Draymond Green.
Green received a technical foul in the first half of Game 2 and later confronted a fan in the fourth quarter after allegedly being subjected to racist insults. The veteran forward made a brief but impassioned statement to reporters in the locker room following the game, expressing frustration over how he’s publicly portrayed. With Saturday night’s Game 3 looming at Chase Center, Kerr made it clear that he expects Green to be fully locked in.
“I don’t think it will impact the game,” Kerr told reporters during a Friday conference call. “I wasn’t aware of what happened with the fan—the insults—until I read about it this morning. I talked to [Draymond] about it, and we discussed the technical fouls and the whole situation. But I know Draymond well. He’ll be ready. He’s going to play a great game.”
“He understands the stakes,” Kerr added. “It’s 1–1, and we’ve got home court. We’ve got our crowd behind us. He’s excited. I’m excited. We’ve moved past all that.” Kerr said.
Kerr commends Timberwolves for their response
Despite the unpleasant nature of the incident, Kerr publicly praised the Timberwolves organization for their swift action. “The only thing I can say is that the Timberwolves handled it perfectly,” Kerr said. “Their security acted quickly and removed the fan. Obviously, that kind of behavior is ugly and unacceptable. We’re grateful for how they responded.”
Kerr, who has dealt with unruly fans during his own playing NBA career, emphasized the importance of league-wide support in such situations.
“Things like this happen occasionally. It’s painful. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like for Draymond as a Black man to hear racially insensitive comments. But I’ve had my own experiences with fans crossing the line. What matters is having the support of security and the organization, and the Wolves did a great job. Draymond’s handling it really well.”
Green speaks out after incident
A fan-shot video posted to social media shows Green engaging with spectators while on a stationary bike in the tunnel during the fourth quarter of Game 2. The Timberwolves later issued a statement confirming the ejection of one fan and noting that an investigation into another individual is ongoing. Green, never one to shy away from addressing public narratives, made his thoughts known.
“I’m not an angry Black man,” Green said postgame after the Warriors’ 117–93 loss. “I’m a very successful, educated Black man, with a great family. And I’m great at basketball—great at what I do. This agenda to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.” The Warriors will look to regroup and rally around their veteran leader as the series resumes Saturday night in San Francisco.