Draymond Green is inching closer to triggering an automatic suspension during the NBA playoffs, and the Golden State Warriors star believes race has a lot to do with that.
Green was called for a technical foul during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series between his Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday night. Naz Reid was defending Green and reached in to try for a steal. Reid was called for a foul, but Green reacted by swatting Reid in the head. You can see the video here.
The technical foul was Green’s fifth of the postseason. If a player is called for seven technical fouls during the playoffs, they automatically get suspended for a game. Green is also two flagrant points away from an automatic suspension.
Following Golden State’s 117-93 loss to the Timberwolves, Green unleashed a passionate rant. He told reporters he is tired of the “agenda” that tries to make him “look like an angry black man.”
“I’m not an angry black man. I’m a very successful, educated black man with a great family, and I’m great at basketball. I’m great at what I do,” Green said. “The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”
Draymond Green just wanted to give one quick postgame statement: “The agenda to continue to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.” pic.twitter.com/ay7TLFhjWL
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 9, 2025
The problem with Green’s theory is that the overwhelming majority of NBA players are black. If the media and league have some agenda to paint him as an “angry black man,” it is unclear why they have chosen him but not the other hundreds of black players in the NBA.
Of course, it could be that Green has a lengthy history of losing his temper on the court. Many fans shared the same video of some of Green’s dirtiest plays after his Thursday night rant.
Draymond Green when he sees a European big man pic.twitter.com/sT95oRm7AC
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) April 7, 2025
Even Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after Game 2 that Green needs to do a better job of keeping his composure.
“He’s going to have to be careful. … He’s going to have to stay composed and I’m confident he will because he knows the circumstances,” Kerr said.
Steve Kerr on Draymond Green nearing the seven-technical one-game suspension (two away): “He’s going to have to be careful…He’s going to have to stay composed and I’m confident he will because he knows the circumstances.”
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 9, 2025
Green’s attempt to manipulate NBA officials by pulling the race card is unlikely to be successful. With the Warriors and Timberwolves now tied 1-1, the former Defensive Player of the Year will have to dedicate extra effort to keeping his head on straight so he avoids a suspension.
