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Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed his heated exchange with Draymond Green during an extended media session Wednesday.
Green left the team’s bench area during a timeout in the third quarter of Golden State’s game against the Orlando Magic on Monday. Finally, he went into the locker room to cool off. Kerr said that even after Green returned to the bench for the remainder of the game, he would not play.
“We had it out for 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 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 toward the team bench with head coach Steve Kerr after a game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California on April 15, 2025. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Kerr later accepted blame for his role in the explosion.
“Monday night was not my finest hour and it was a time when I needed to be calm in a pinch,” Kerr said after Wednesday’s practice ahead of Golden State’s Christmas Day meeting with the Dallas Mavericks. “I regret my actions in that exchange. I apologized [Green]. He apologized to me. We have both apologized to the team.”
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Kerr added that he and Green are both competitive by nature, which can lead to spirited moments at times.
“These things, they happen – especially when you get two incredibly competitive people like Dray and me. So in the 12 years we’ve been together, this has happened occasionally and I’m not proud of it.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, center, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in San Francisco, California. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Kerr and Green first formed their partnership when the former NBA player was named head coach of the Warriors. He went on to highlight the similarities he shares with Green.
“We’re way more alike than anyone would ever realize. So yeah, it’s not all that uncommon. I’d say this hasn’t happened in a few years, a split and a rebound like that, but in our 12 years together, it’s not the first time. And we’ve always, always found a way to not only bounce back, but make progress as a result.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on as forward Draymond Green (23) talks to an official during the first half against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on December 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
Kerr also made a clear point about Green’s basketball legacy.
“My No. 1 goal, honestly, is for him to finish his career as a Warrior where we fight metaphorically — not literally, but fight and compete together — until we’re both gone. And I believe that’s going to happen. Because I believe in Draymond, and I believe in myself, and I believe in everything we’ve built for 12 years.”
The Warriors defeated the Mavericks on Christmas Day to improve to 16-15 on the season.
