Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green expressed frustration over playing on Christmas Day after his team's victory. In his 11th such game, Green highlighted the personal toll of missing family time. He acknowledged the honor but insisted the sacrifice 'f---ing sucks.'
The Golden State Warriors secured a 126-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks on December 25, showcasing their status as a top NBA team before a national audience. However, for Draymond Green, the victory came at a cost. Speaking on his podcast, 'The Draymond Green Show,' after playing his 11th Christmas Day game, Green candidly addressed the downside of the league's holiday scheduling.
"Yes, it is an honor to be considered one of the great draws that is in the NBA," Green said. "To play on a day where everybody's watching is incredible. All of those things are great. But two things can be true at once. Playing on Christmas Day also f---ing sucks. The reason it sucks is, number one, it can affect your mood. Number two, we are human beings and, just like everyone else, enjoy Christmas Day with their families. That kind of gets messed up for us."
Green's comments echo sentiments from other stars, including LeBron James, who before his record 20th December 25 game stated he would "much rather be at home with my family." Such honesty has drawn criticism from fans who view holiday games as a prestigious badge. Green pushed back sharply: "I hate when people are like, 'It's an honor to play on Christmas Day. People should shut up,' No, you should shut up."
In the game, Green contributed seven points, marking his fourth straight outing with single-digit scoring. He questioned the notion of honor in missing family milestones: "For all of those who are like, 'You should be honored' -- honored to miss your family time? Honored to miss your kids opening gifts? Honored to leave your kid and go to work? Because no one works on Christmas Day. We're going to work. Everybody says it's this great honor. I just want to give you a little perspective. It's a great honor to go to work on Christmas Day?"
The NBA featured five games on its 2025 Christmas Day slate, delivering typical high entertainment. Notable results included the San Antonio Spurs' 117-102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, positioning Victor Wembanyama's team as contenders, and a 142-138 overtime thriller between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, where Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards combined for 100 points.
