Golden States road win in New Orleans took an unexpected turn when Draymond Green confronted a Pelicans fan sitting courtside, sparking a heated in-game exchange.
The moment unfolded during the first half of the Warriors 124 to 106 victory, when Green stepped off the floor and directly into the face of a fan identified by The Associated Press as Sam Green.
Security and teammates quickly stepped between them, and play resumed without penalties. But after the game, Draymond explained exactly what pushed him past his limit.
It was a good joke at first, but you cant keep calling me a woman, Green said, via The San Francisco Chronicle. Ive got four kids and one on the way. Cant keep calling me a woman. He got quiet though, so it was fine.
The fan had repeatedly referred to Green as Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, a nod to Greens rebounding total at the time, even though he hadnt attempted a shot yet.
When a reporter pointed out that Reese is one of the WNBAs elite rebounders, Green didnt back down.
Yeah for sure, but Lisa Leslie was a good rebounder too, and shes older than me, he said. Just dont be disrespectful, its cool. Well move on.
Sam Green later claimed he did nothing wrong and said the Warriors forward escalated the situation.
I wasnt using profanity, and for him to walk twelve feet off the court to come and get in my face like that, it was a little unnerving, he said, adding that Draymond allegedly used profanity and threatened him.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr addressed the confrontation briefly.
As long as it doesnt escalate, its fine [for a player] to go over and have a discussion, Kerr said. It would have been nice if security had gotten there a little bit earlier.
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