A familiar script played out on an NBA court, and the central character was, once again, Draymond Green.
In a recent game between the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks, the veteran forward added another controversial play to his long, storied résumé. Green was called for a flagrant foul after grabbing the ankle of Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns.
The incident, which many fans and commentators met with a weary “here we go again,” has reignited debates about Green’s conduct and the simmering tension between the two players.
The Incident: A Physical Play in a Heated Rivalry
The foul occurred during a pivotal moment in the fourth quarter. As Karl-Anthony Towns drove toward the basket, Green reached down and grabbed his ankle, a move officials deemed worthy of a flagrant foul call.
Unlike some of his more explosive past infractions, this particular play was described as not being “exaggerated or violent,” but rather another example of Green “operating on the edge” of the rules.
True to form, Green celebrated the call, believing the officials had unfairly favored the Knicks earlier. This reaction further incensed fans watching, with many taking to social media to express frustration that he wasn’t ejected for the action.
A Brewing History Between Green and Towns
This latest incident is not an isolated event but another chapter in a budding rivalry between Green and Towns. The tension between the two stars dates back to last season.
It stemmed from a game Towns missed against the Warriors. Afterward, Green publicly suggested that Towns’ absence might have been because he was “scared off” by the presence of Jimmy Butler, a former teammate with whom Towns had a rocky relationship in Minnesota. Green later apologized, but not before the comment created significant friction.
In their next matchup, the two were seen engaging in intense trash talk, cementing a personal animosity that now colors every Warriors-Knicks game. Towns has since downplayed the rivalry, saying Green’s antics have “no relevance” in his life, but the on-court drama suggests otherwise.
The Context: Green’s Season of Fines and Technicals
The flagrant foul against Towns is part of a larger pattern for Green this season. As of mid-January 2026, he has already accumulated 9 technical fouls and two ejections. More strikingly, his total fines for the season have now crossed the $1 million mark.
A closer look at his game log reveals he is averaging 3.1 personal fouls per game this season, a figure that underscores his consistently physical, and often borderline, style of play. While the league has clearly not allowed him to act without consequences, each new incident raises questions about his ability to stay on the court and help his team when it matters most.
The Other Side: Towns’ Battle for Health
While the foul became a story about Green, it also put a spotlight on Karl-Anthony Towns, a player for whom health is a constant storyline. The Knicks’ big man has an extensive injury history, particularly with his knees, and has been managing various lower-body issues this season.
Just weeks before the ankle grab, Towns was listed as questionable with right knee soreness. He has also recently battled a calf issue and, earlier in January, missed a game due to a stomach illness.
For a Knicks team with championship aspirations that hinge on his availability, any extra physical contact—especially on a vulnerable area like an ankle or knee is a cause for concern.
The Fallout and What’s Next
The league will review the flagrant foul, which could result in a fine or even a suspension, though initial analysis suggested a suspension was unlikely. The more significant fallout may be the continued escalation of the Warriors-Knicks rivalry.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in March, a game that promises another intense spectacle. For Draymond Green, it will be another opportunity to walk his familiar tightrope between impactful, winning defense and costly, headline-grabbing controversy.
I hope this article gives you the detailed breakdown you were looking for on this latest Draymond Green moment. Do you want me to look up anything else about his season or the Warriors-Knicks rivalry?