The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently looking into an allegation that a fan made racially offensive comments toward Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green during the fourth quarter of their playoff match on Thursday night. This investigation follows an incident that resulted in a fan’s ejection for breaching the NBA Fan Code of Conduct, though the Timberwolves did not provide specifics of the misconduct.
Video footage circulating online shows Green on a stationary bike during the fourth quarter, apparently responding to a spectator’s comment while security personnel were nearby. The team revealed that a second fan, accused by nearby attendees of making racial remarks, left the arena before security could verify their identity. The Timberwolves stated they are continuing the investigation and may take further actions.
Following the game, Green gave a brief media statement expressing his frustration with what he perceives as a portrayal of him as an “angry Black man.” “I’m tired of the agenda to make me look like the angry Black man,” Green remarked, during a short session with the press. “I’m a very successful, educated Black man with a great family, and I’m great at basketball and great at what I do. The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.” Green left the area following these comments, and it remained unclear if his remarks were related to the technical foul, the racially charged comments, or both incidents.
The Timberwolves, alongside the Target Center, reiterated their dedication to creating an inclusive and respectful environment, emphasizing that racist or otherwise harmful behavior will not be tolerated. Warriors coach Steve Kerr commended the Timberwolves for their swift response to the issue, drawing on his personal experience with hostility after the murder of his father, Malcolm, during his own college years. Kerr highlighted the welcoming nature of the city, differentiating the actions of one person from the community as a whole.
The incident notably occurred in a game where Green was penalized with a technical foul for an arm-flailing incident involving Timberwolves’ Naz Reid. Referees assessed the situation after Reid went to the floor, and a technical was issued. Green is now only two technical fouls away from a mandatory suspension as per league rules, which would be enforced if he accumulates two more technicals during the playoffs. This latest technical places Green in a position to receive a formal warning from the NBA.
Kerr acknowledged Green’s competitive spirit and its occasional crossing of boundaries, understanding it as part of the player’s makeup. “The same thing that makes him such a competitor and winner puts him over the top sometimes,” Kerr commented, noting the importance of keeping Green focused and composed.
The series between Golden State and Minnesota, now tied at one game each, is set to continue in San Francisco on Saturday. Green’s career has seen him receive 202 technical fouls to date, according to SportRadar data, and he has faced numerous disciplinary actions in the past, following incidents similar to Thursday’s game. His history includes suspensions for physical altercations and an accumulation of flagrant-foul points, alongside other controversial moments throughout his time in the NBA.