Draymond Green Is Fined By GSW After Punching Jordan Poole

Summary

• Kerr announced that Green was fined an undisclosed amount, but won’t be suspended
• Green received the punishment after he punched Poole during a practice game last week
• Stephen Curry and general manager Bob Myers were involved in the talks leading to the decision

Draymond Green has avoided suspension after punching teammate Jordan Poole during the Golden State Warriors’ practice game on October 5, 2022.

He has instead been fined, as confirmed by head coach Steve Kerr who has described the situation as “the biggest crisis” the team has ever had.

Green Avoids Suspension

Kerr announced after the Warriors’ preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday that Green would return to practice this week. He is also likely to play with the team in its final preseason game on Friday, October 14 and on NBA’s opening night.

Kerr admitted the entire process had been “exhaustive” but felt it was the best way for everyone to move forward. He also revealed that several key figures were involved in discussions regarding what he described as a “really serious situation“, including general manager Bob Myers, Green and Poole themselves, as well as Stephen Curry.

Kerr, who joined the Warriors as coach in 2014, said he and the team are giving Green the benefit of the doubt on the incident. Kerr did not disclose the amount of the fine imposed on the four-time NBA champion.

According to sources, there had been friction between Green and Poole since the beginning of training camp. Footage of the incident shows Green stepping up to Poole’s chest and then punching him in the jaw. Their teammates quickly ran to the scene as Poole was knocked to the floor.

Green has since apologized to Poole and the team for his actions. He said he failed as a leader and a man. The reason for the altercation remains unknown, but Green has junked speculations it could be due to their contract status.

Every Situation is Different, Says Kerr

This isn’t the first time that Green has been involved in an argument with a teammate. In 2018, the power forward was suspended for a day for repeatedly calling former teammate Kevin Durant a “bitch” during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He did not punch him though. The Warriors handed the suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team“.

Explaining why the 32-year-old didn’t get a suspension this time, Kerr said they’re looking at the situation differently. He also said that Green and Poole held talks about the situation which helped big time in arriving at the decision.