Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green confronted a courtside New Orleans Pelicans fan after being taunted during his team’s 124-106 victory in Louisiana, creating a tense moment at the Smoothie King Center.
The incident occurred shortly after Green was called for a shooting foul while defending Pelicans forward Herbert Jones. Rather than returning to his team, Green approached the fan, Sam Green, who had been standing with a grin and outstretched arms during Jones’ foul shots.
The two exchanged words before game officials stepped in to separate them, ending the confrontation without further escalation.
“He kept calling me a woman,” Green said following the game. “It was funny at first, but you can’t keep saying that. I have four children, and one more on the way.”
Sam Green explained his actions, saying he was chanting the name of WNBA star Angel Reese in reference to Draymond Green’s missed scoring opportunities despite multiple rebound chances.
“I wasn’t using any profanity,” he said. “But for him to walk 12 feet off the court and come at me like that, it was a little unsettling.”
Stewards issued Sam Green a warning but allowed him to remain in his front-row seat for the remainder of the game.
Draymond Green, who was fined $25,000 (£19,000) in 2022 for directing offensive language at a fan, added: “He was talking at first, then got a little closer but didn’t really say much else. It’s fine. We move on.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr commented that he was unaware of the exact exchange between player and fan.
“As long as it doesn’t escalate, it’s okay,” Kerr said. “Players can have a discussion, but it would have been better if security intervened sooner.”
