Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green expressed regret once again after a comment from his former teammate, Jordan Poole, possibly reignited lingering tensions between the two NBA players.
Following the Washington Wizards’ 122-114 loss to the Warriors on Saturday, Poole was asked about his feelings toward his former team. While stating, “I love those guys over there,” he later clarified, “I love most of those guys over there.”
The second part of his statement was widely interpreted as a subtle reference to Green, sparking a response from the Warriors forward.
“I really am sorry,” Green replied after hearing the remark, according to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. Green’s words reflect his ongoing remorse for a highly publicized incident that defined the 2022-23 season for the Warriors.
In October 2022, Green punched Poole during a practice session, a moment that caused tension within the team and ultimately led to Poole’s trade to the Washington Wizards in July 2023 as part of the deal for Chris Paul.
Green addressed the incident more candidly on Penny Hardaway’s Two Cents Podcast, calling the altercation “one of my biggest failures as a vet.” He explained that Poole, eager to learn from him, had chosen to sit next to Green in the locker room. Green said that he had previously spent time mentoring Poole but “f–ked it all up” by letting emotions get the better of him in that moment.
The altercation was only part of Green’s tumultuous year, including an indefinite suspension after an on-court incident with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in late 2022. Green was required to attend therapy sessions as part of his suspension, a step that marked a period of personal growth.
In a recent ESPN profile, friends and colleagues noted that Green has become more reflective and controlled since those incidents, with his friend Travis Walton stating that Green has been “more intentional” and less prone to outbursts.
While the past can’t be erased, Draymond Green’s acknowledgment of his mistake and his continued effort to evolve suggests that there may be a path toward reconciliation with Jordan Poole, allowing both players to move forward from their history.
