Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green collided almost chest-to-chest with a fan during the Warriors' road win over the Warriors. New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday evening.
The fan, identified as Sam Green, 35, of New Orleans, was wearing a black polo shirt with the Pelicans logo. He stood and applauded after Green was called for a shooting foul while defending Pelicans forward Herb Jones.
As the players began to take their positions for Jones' penalty, Green walked up to the fan and stood inches away from him as they talked to each other, with the fan extending his arms to each side.
Game officials quickly stepped between them and pulled the Warriors star away while deputies gathered around and spoke to the fan, who still seemed surprised by the exchange.
Sam Green said he taunted Draymond Green with an “Angel Reese” chant because while the Warriors star grabbed a few rebounds, he didn't attempt a single shot. Reese, a WNBA player, is known for her rebounding skills.
Sam Green said the Warriors star swore at him and threatened to hit him if he continued to taunt “Angel Reese.”
“I didn't use any profanity, and for him to walk 12 feet off the court and hit me in the face like that, it was a little unnerving,” said Sam Green, who was given a warning by ushers but was allowed to remain in his seat in the front row.
Draymond Green, who has been known to pick up technical fouls, penalties and ejections due to his temperamental behavior on the court, has been fined in the past for interacting with fans. In 2022, he was fined $25,000 for what the NBA called “foul language directed at a fan.”
Green criticized the behavior of the crowdstating that fans face relatively few consequences for mocking players, and are sometimes motivated by the fact that players can be fined for interacting with them.
