Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green sparked immediate controversy Friday night by claiming a technical foul he received was rooted in racial disrespect, stating it was “ironic” he was penalized for telling a “Caucasian referee” not to put his hand in his face.
The incident occurred during the Warriors’ 131-124 loss to the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center. Green, who was assessed his 10th technical foul of the season by veteran official J.T.
“I find it very ironic that I got a technical foul for telling a Caucasian referee not to put his hand in my face,” Green told reporters. “As a Black man in America, don’t put your hand in my face. And I said, ‘Hey, don’t put your hand in my face.’ And I got a tech.”
The On Court Dispute and Official’s Call
The technical foul stemmed from a dispute over a delay-of-game warning. Green argued that Pistons forward Ausar Thompson was holding the ball after a made basket to slow the Warriors’ offense.
According to the pool report issued after the game, referee J.T. Orr provided a different account of the sequence leading to the technical.
“ When Green persisted, Orr issued the technical foul. Notably, the pool report made no mention of Orr putting his hand in Green’s face, a claim that broadcast footage reviewed by several outlets did not clearly corroborate.
The Firestorm of Reaction
Green’s comments ignited a fierce and immediate backlash online, with many fans and commentators accusing him of injecting racial tension where none existed and deflecting from his own conduct.
- Accusations of Hypocrisy: Critics were quick to point out Green’s extensive history of on-court altercations, many with white players like Jordan Poole (former teammate), Domantas Sabonis, and Rudy Gobert.
- Questioning the Narrative: Others argued that Green, who leads the NBA with 209 career technical fouls (including playoffs) and 24 career ejections, was using race as a shield for behavior that would draw a technical foul for any player, regardless of ethnicity.
Green’s Defense and the Bigger Picture
In his remarks, Green expanded his argument beyond the single incident, framing it as an issue of mutual respect between players and officials.
“Everybody wants to talk about holding a line of respect,” Green said. “That line needs to be held both ways.”
He suggested that officials should be held to the same standard of physical decorum expected of players.
A Volatile Chapter in a Long History
For Draymond Green, this episode is another volatile chapter in a career defined by intense passion, elite defense, and frequent controversy.
While he has often used his platform to speak on social justice issues, this particular instance tying a common basketball infraction directly to race has been met with widespread skepticism and criticism.
The NBA has not announced any further discipline for Green’s comments. However, the incident ensures that the spotlight will remain intensely focused on his interactions with officials.