The NBA issued a warning to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green following a verbal altercation with a courtside fan during Sunday's 124-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Green confronted fan Sam Green after repeated taunts referencing WNBA star Angel Reese, but received no fine or suspension. Officials and team staff intervened quickly to de-escalate the situation.
The incident occurred during the first half of the Warriors' road win against the Pelicans on November 16, 2025, in New Orleans. Green was called for a shooting foul while defending Pelicans forward Herb Jones, prompting the fan, 35-year-old Sam Green of New Orleans, to stand and cheer while wearing a Pelicans polo shirt. Green then approached the fan, standing inches away as they exchanged words, with Green holding his arms out.
Game officials, including referee Courtney Kirkland, stepped in to separate them, while ushers spoke with the fan. Green later explained that the taunts began as a joke but became disrespectful. "He just kept calling me a woman. It was a good joke at first but you can’t keep calling me a woman," Green said. "I got four kids and one on the way. Just don’t be disrespectful."
Sam Green told reporters he was chanting "Angel Reese," referencing the WNBA star's rebounding prowess, after Green missed five straight short-range shots and rebounded the first four. At the time of the confrontation, Green had seven rebounds and no points; he finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. The fan claimed Green shouted profanity and threatened him but received only a warning from ushers and kept his front-row seat.
The NBA, informed by a person with knowledge of the situation, issued Green a warning on Tuesday but no further punishment. This follows a 2022 incident where Green was fined $25,000 for directing obscene language at a fan. Warriors coach Steve Kerr commented post-game, saying, "I had no problem with it. It would have been nice if security had gotten there a little bit earlier. It’s hard to comment on it because I don’t know what was said." Green has previously criticized lax consequences for fan behavior compared to player penalties.
