Draymond Green did not hold back after Friday night’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, speaking publicly about the technical foul he was assessed during Golden State‘s 131-124 defeat at Chase Center.
The Warriors forward addressed the incident directly, framing it within a broader personal and social context that immediately drew attention beyond the game itself.
“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 said after the game. “As a Black man in America, don’t put your hand in my face.” The technical was Green’s 10th of the season and came in a night that was already frustrating for Golden State, which fell behind early and never fully recovered.
Green had a good game despite the controversy
On the court, Green finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a strong all-around performance, but his impact was overshadowed by both the result and the postgame comments. The Warriors allowed 77 first-half points, the most they have given up in any half this season, as Detroit shot an eye-opening 76 percent in the opening quarter and built a commanding early lead.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 29 points and 11 assists, controlling the tempo as Detroit completed a road back-to-back and improved its recent form, winning seven of its last nine games. Jalen Duren added 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 points. The Pistons capitalized on 18 Golden State turnovers, converting them into 31 points.
Stephen Curry scored 23 points for his fourth straight 20-point outing, but exited after three quarters due to right knee soreness. He was closely guarded throughout the night by Ausar Thompson and shot 7 of 16 before leaving the game. Despite Curry‘s absence, the Warriors mounted a familiar third-quarter push, trimming a 20-point deficit to single digits.
Golden State continues to struggle
Still, Golden State could not complete the comeback. The loss dropped the Warriors further back after returning home from a four-game road trip. Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup, marking his fourth straight start. Horford finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.
The night also included milestones for Green, who reached 8,000 career points and moved into 16th place on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, passing Joe Fulks. He also joined Curry and Klay Thompson as the only Warriors with 800 or more career three-pointers.
Yet, despite the personal achievements, the focus after the final buzzer centered on Green’s technical foul and his pointed remarks. As one of the league’s most outspoken veterans, Draymond once again placed himself at the center of a broader conversation, underscoring how moments between players and officials can resonate far beyond the box score.
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