Warriors' Draymond Green Receives Fifth Technical Foul for Elbowing Timberwolves' Naz Reid in Game 2 Loss

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green received his fifth technical foul of the 2025 NBA Playoffs during Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The foul occurred in the second quarter when Green elbowed Timberwolves center Naz Reid. The Warriors lost 117-93, tying the series 1-1. Green's technical fouls put him two away from a suspension. Postgame, Green criticized a narrative portraying him negatively and addressed a fan incident involving racially charged remarks. The Timberwolves are investigating the fan incident.

Incident Details

With 8:46 remaining in the second quarter and the Timberwolves leading 33-17, Green was fouled by Naz Reid. In the aftermath of the contact, Green flailed his arms and caught Reid in the head with his left elbow. Officials reviewed the play and determined the contact warranted a technical foul for unnecessary physicality.

Lead referee Tony Brothers confirmed the decision postgame, stating the elbow was deemed “unnecessary” and merited a technical foul under league rules. The call visibly enraged Green, who immediately began arguing with the officials. His outburst prompted Warriors head coach Steve Kerr to remove him from the game. Green remained on the bench for approximately six minutes of game time before returning to the floor.

Reactions from the Warriors

Green’s reaction to the call was intense. He was seen yelling at the referees and had to be calmed down by teammates, including injured star Stephen Curry, who was sidelined with a strained hamstring. Curry left the bench to intervene, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

Coach Kerr addressed the incident after the game, acknowledging the fine line Green walks between competitive fire and emotional overreach.

“It’s part of Draymond,” Kerr said. “The same thing that makes him such a competitor and a winner puts him over the top sometimes. We know that, and it’s our job to try and help him stay poised, stay composed. But the competition is so meaningful to him, occasionally he goes over the line.”
— USA Today

Kerr also noted that Green has a habit of flailing his arms after contact to draw attention to fouls, which may have contributed to the elbowing incident.

Green’s Postgame Statement

Following the game, Green did not take questions from the media but issued a brief statement in the locker room. He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a persistent narrative targeting his character.

“I’m not an angry Black man. I'm a very successful, educated Black man with a great family, and I’m great at basketball, I’m great at what I do. The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”
— Yahoo Sports

Green’s comments came amid reports that a fan directed racially charged remarks at him during the fourth quarter. The Minnesota Timberwolves confirmed that one fan was ejected for violating the NBA Fan Code of Conduct in an incident involving Green, while another individual, identified by surrounding patrons as making racially charged comments, left the arena before security could intervene.

Disciplinary Implications

The technical foul was Green’s fifth of the 2025 postseason. Under NBA rules, a player who accumulates seven technical fouls during the playoffs is subject to an automatic one-game suspension. Green is now just two technicals away from triggering that penalty. He also has two flagrant fouls this postseason, which could similarly lead to suspension if he reaches the threshold.

Green has a long history of disciplinary issues in the NBA. According to data compiled by SportRadar, he has been assessed 202 technical fouls in his career, the second-most in league history. He has also been suspended six times, including a 12-game suspension in 2023 for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in the face.

Fan Incident Under Investigation

The Timberwolves released a statement on Friday confirming that they are investigating the incident involving the fan who allegedly made racially charged comments toward Green. The team stated:

“A second individual, who was identified by surrounding patrons as making racially charged comments towards Green, left on his own before arena security could confirm his identity. The team is continuing to investigate, and additional action may be taken.”
— Associated Press

Video footage circulating on social media shows Green riding a stationary bike near the Warriors’ tunnel during the fourth quarter, engaging in a verbal exchange with a fan. Security personnel were seen nearby during the incident.

Series Context

The Warriors’ 117-93 loss in Game 2 tied the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors are already dealing with the absence of Stephen Curry due to a hamstring injury, and Green’s potential suspension looms large as the series progresses.

Green’s presence on the court remains critical for Golden State, particularly given his defensive versatility and leadership. However, his continued accumulation of technical and flagrant fouls places the team in a precarious position as the playoffs advance.

Warriors' Draymond Green Receives Fifth Technical Foul for Elbowing Timberwolves' Naz Reid in Game 2 Loss

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