On Sunday, the Golden State Warriors had their first preseason game of the 2025-26 NBA season. The Warriors won 111-103 over the Los Angeles Lakers. Early in the game, fans were fixated on Draymond Green‘s physical altercation with forward Jarred Vanderbilt. Green and Vanderbilt got into each other’s faces in an exhibition game. To keep it from getting worse, officials and their teammates had to separate them.
Green is known to be one of the most physical players in the league. He doesn’t let a chance to intimidate his opponents. It doesn’t matter if it’s a preseason game, a regular-season game, or a playoff game. The four-time All-Star is always ready to stand up for himself and his teammates.
Green reassured the players and supporters during the Warriors’ preseason opener that he is still a player who would not give up lightly.
It took place in the second quarter at the 10:00 mark, and Vando was defending Steph Curry, so Draymond Green threw up a screen for him. The Lakers forward fell to the ground. As Curry’s 3-point attempt went in, Green was backpedaling, getting ready to get back on defense.
He didn’t see Vanderbilt’s feet, which tripped him, and he fell to the floor. Green immediately got up and was intimidating the 6-foot-8 forward.
Draymond Green and Jarred Vanderbilt got HEATED after Draymond's screen for Steph Curry's triple 👀pic.twitter.com/Hle5YPRBiL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 6, 2025
Following that, fans revealed their thoughts on what happened.
“Draymond can’t help himself,” a fan said.
“Every Draymond screen turns into a true crime episode,” another fan commented.
“Draymond only plays one way man lol,” one fan said.
Draymond only plays one way man lol
— Guru (@DrGuru_) October 6, 2025
“Somebody tells him it’s preseason,” one fan pointed out.
“He needs to get into boxing or mma and retire from basketball since he wants to fight,” a fan commented on X.
Steve Kerr reveals his game plan for Draymond Green this season
Draymond Green isn’t the biggest frontcourt star, but the Warriors have been successful with him playing center. However, that might not be the best approach moving forward since the 6-foot-6 star is on the older side. He isn’t as athletic as before, and playing center might not be beneficial for the longevity of his career.
However, he started the preseason game against the Lakers as the team’s center. He was with the starting lineup with Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler. Head coach Steve Kerr was asked about his decision behind it following the game.
According to Kerr, he used the starting lineup that helped them succeed last season after they acquired Butler via trade.
“It doesn’t mean Draymond is going to be logging heavy minutes at the five,” Kerr said. “We came off the bench with three centers tonight. So, if we start that way, it still allows Draymond to get off the big, hulking centers as the game goes on.”
Steve Kerr started small tonight and says he wants to play that Steph/Podziemski/Moody/Butler/Draymond lineup because of its past success.
“It doesn’t mean Draymond is going to be logging heavy minutes at the five.” pic.twitter.com/JqNkZlZSEc
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 6, 2025
Fortunately for Green, he has a chance to rest for longer periods since the Warriors signed Al Horford before the start of the season.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
