After the Golden State Warriors’ 117-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series on May 8, 2025, Draymond Green didn’t mince words.
The Warriors’ forward, hit with his fifth technical foul in nine playoff games, took to the locker room and X to express frustration over what he perceives as biased officiating. In a post on X, Green wrote, “The agenda to keep trying to make me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”
The technical foul stemmed from a second-quarter incident where Green, reacting to a non-call involving Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, argued with referees. Green claimed Gobert grabbed his leg, a sentiment echoed by teammate Brandin Podziemski.
The call added to Green’s playoff technical count, leaving him two away from a one-game suspension.
His history—17 regular-season technical in 2024-25 and past suspensions, including an indefinite one in 2023—has fueled perceptions of unfair targeting, a view shared by teammate Jimmy Butler, who noted the league’s tendency to scrutinize Green’s actions.
Despite the loss, Green contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. The Warriors, missing Stephen Curry due to a hamstring strain, leaned on Buddy Hield (18 points) and Butler (16 points), but couldn’t match Anthony Edwards’ 29-point performance for Minnesota.
Both teams raised officiating concerns, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr pulling Green to avoid further penalties, while Timberwolves coach Chris Finch submitted clips alleging excessive contact on Gobert.
Green’s outspokenness, a hallmark of his career, resonates with Filipino fans who admire his passion and hustle, recognized by the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award.
His X post underscores a broader fight for fairness, echoing cultural values of standing firm under pressure. As the series heads to Golden State for Game 3, Green’s leadership remains pivotal for a Warriors squad aiming to reclaim momentum.
