The Golden State Warriors’ win in New Orleans came with a bit more noise than anyone expected. While the team rolled to a 124 to 106 victory, the spotlight turned to Draymond Green and a courtside fan whose taunts went from playful to personal.
The heckler, identified as Sam Green, started teasing Draymond by calling him “Angel Reese,” a reference to the Chicago Sky star known for her heavy rebounding. At first, Draymond laughed it off. Eventually, though, the repeated comments pushed him to walk over and address the fan directly.
Draymond Green gets into it with a fan for calling him Angel Reese: “I love the disrespect”
Draymond later explained that the issue was not the initial joke, but how quickly it escalated. He said the fan continued calling him a woman and kept repeating the reference long after the crowd had moved on. According to Sam Green, Draymond came over in the first quarter and responded with an insult of his own, making the back-and-forth even more heated.
I come down, he’s like, oh, Draymond, you’re Angel Reese, ok, that was a little funny. As the night goes on, there’s more with it, hey Draymond, you’re f****n Angel Reese.
Was Draymond Green in th wrong? League review results in only a warning
Once the interaction began circulating online, many assumed the NBA would deliver a harsh response. Draymond’s disciplinary history has been well documented, and confrontations with fans have led to fines before. A previous courtside incident in 2022 cost him $25,000, and his overall fine total sits just below the one-million-dollar mark.
This time, however, the league decided not to add to that number. NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the league issued a warning to Draymond but chose not to enforce a fine. The fan also received a warning for provoking the situation, which the league categorized as the kind of taunting that can escalate tensions unnecessarily.
For Draymond, the decision is a relief, especially considering how strict the NBA has become regarding player behavior around fans. Recent notable penalties, such as Anthony Edwards being fined for obscene gestures and outbursts, have created an environment where even minor incidents can trigger major consequences.
Draymond told me to suck his d*** in the first quarter
What’s next for Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors?
This ruling is a relief for the Warriors, who have dealt with turbulence surrounding Draymond’s emotional flare-ups in recent seasons. The team continues to rely on his defensive leadership, communication, and intensity, even when those same traits sometimes lead to controversy. Golden State is trying to stabilize its season, chase better playoff positioning, and integrate younger talent alongside its championship core.
He just kept calling me a woman. It was a good joke at first, but you can’t keep calling me a woman. I got four kids, one on the way. You can’t keep calling me a woman
For Draymond, the focus now shifts to consistency on the court and composure off it. The league’s warning signals that additional incidents could bring harsher consequences, especially with his disciplinary track record. Inside the Warriors locker room, the message is clear: the team needs him available, locked-in, and leading their defensive identity. As the season unfolds, both Draymond and Golden State will look to keep distractions to a minimum while they push toward a stronger finish in a highly competitive Western Conference.
