The Warriors handled business on the floor, but the night quickly became about something else. An unexpected heated moment between Draymond Green and Steve Green drew the limelight. It was further intensified after Green left the bench, turning a routine win into a talking point across the league. And the reaction was loud before the final buzzer even sounded.
Golden State needed stability after an uneven stretch. Instead, the spotlight landed on a familiar tension point involving one of its core leaders. The win helped the standings. The moment raised questions about focus, control, and how thin the margin has become for this group.
Steve Kerr–Draymond Green Sideline Argument Triggers Walkout
It started near the beginning of the third quarter during Monday’s match versus Orlando, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater on December 23. Down by five points, coach Steve Kerr paused play, sensing his players were losing focus. Just before that, Draymond Green lost possession and then stayed behind arguing with a referee rather than joining the group.
The timeout escalated instead of resolving the issue. Kerr and Green exchanged sharp words on the sideline as teammates and staff tried to intervene. People nearby started noticing how loud things got, as voices stretched on without pause. Well before the clock ticked eight minutes below in the third quarter, Green rose slowly, stepped around teammates still seated, then made his way out, disappearing through the door toward the lockers while everything else carried on behind him.
In the post-game meet, the HC revealed, “We got into it obviously, and I took the timeout just because I thought we lost our focus there a little bit.”
Steve Kerr said Draymond Green chose to go to the locker room after the two had a heated argument during an early third quarter timeout. He wasn’t sent there. Green returned to bench for fourth quarter but Kerr said he wouldn’t have gone back to Green.
Full soundbite pic.twitter.com/SPZvuqteIB
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 23, 2025
He further added, “We had it out a little bit, and he made his decision to go back to the locker room to cool off, and that’s all I’m going to say about it. Everything is private. I’ve got nothing further to add.”
The context made the moment heavier. This was the second straight game Green failed to finish. He had been ejected just two nights earlier against Phoenix, and recent losses had brought criticism around turnovers and discipline. Still, on this night, Green had only one turnover before the argument, and Kerr later acknowledged his solid first-half play.
Later in the third quarter, Green stayed off court as vet players and staff stopped by to check on him. Back near the bench when the last period started, he kept his practice gear on, sitting out entirely. Afterward, Kerr said they had already decided not to send Green back into play once he walked away.
Out on the floor, Golden State found its rhythm. A shift came in the third when Stephen Curry lit up the scoreboard, finishing with 26. Jimmy Butler chipped in 21 of his own while the Warriors carved out a 120–97 victory, resetting their season mark to 15 wins and 15 losses.
Still, the argument made the noise louder than the game, especially among the fans:
A fan said, “Typical Draymond. Loves to stir the pot but can’t handle the heat.”
Another fan said, “Draymond went from lockdown defense to locking himself in the locker room. Kerr just ran the fourth quarter without the drama.”
Another chimes, “Bro really crashed out in the middle of a timeout 💀 The dynasty is officially cooked.”
More fans added, “Who are we getting for a Draymond, Kuminga, Buddy trade package?”
The locker room mood stayed, but fan reactions are far from calm. Some defended Green for stepping away before things escalated further. Others focused on the pattern and the timing. The Warriors moved forward. The backlash followed.
