Steve Kerr takes blame for Draymond Green blowup, hopes he retires with GSW
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Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed his heated exchange with Draymond Green during a lengthy media session on Wednesday.
Green left the bench during a timeout in the third quarter of Golden State’s game against the Orlando Magic on Monday and eventually went to the locker room to cool off. Kerr said Green would not play for the remainder of the game, although he returned to the bench.
“We had talked a little bit and he decided to go back to the locker room to cool off and that’s all I’m going to say about it. It’s all private. I don’t have anything else to add,” Kerr said at the time. Green had nine points and seven rebounds in Monday’s 120-97 win.
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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) walks towards the bench with head coach Steve Kerr after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in the third quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on April 15, 2025. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Kerr later took responsibility for his role in the explosion.
“Monday night wasn’t my finest hour, and this was a time when I had to be calm in the crowd,” Kerr said after Wednesday’s practice ahead of Golden State’s Christmas Day matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. “I regret my actions in this exchange. [Green]. He apologized to me. “We both apologized to the team.”
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Kerr added that both he and Green are competitive by nature, which can sometimes lead to exciting moments.
“These things happen, especially when you’re faced with two incredibly competitive people like Dray and I. It’s happened on and off throughout the 12 years we’ve been together, and I’m not proud of it.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the first half against the Orlando Magic on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Kerr and Green first formed their partnership when the former NBA player was named head coach of the Warriors. He continued to highlight the similarities he shares with Green.
“We’re a lot more alike than anyone might realize. So yeah, it’s not entirely unusual. I’d say it hasn’t happened in a few years, this kind of split and explosion, but it’s not the first time in our 12 years together. And we’ve always, always found a way to not only recover, but ultimately make progress.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left) watches forward Draymond Green (23) talk to a referee during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
Kerr also made a clear point about Green’s basketball legacy.
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“Honestly, my No. 1 goal for him is for him to finish his career as a Warrior fighting metaphorically — not literally, but fighting and competing together — until we both die. And I believe that will happen. Because I believe in Draymond and I believe in myself. And I believe in everything we’ve built for 12 years.”
The Warriors improved to 16-15 on the season with a win over the Mavericks on Christmas Day.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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