Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic battled on the court Saturday night, and the metaphorical bloodshed leaked into this week.
On a Tuesday episode of the Draymond Green Show podcast, Green called Nurkic names — “the little guy” and “cowardly” — in response to Nurkic backtracking on previous comments. At the postgame podium following the Warriors’ win, Nurkic said, “It’s sad. He didn’t learn anything, man. It’s just a matter of time. He’s gonna (hit) somebody else again, so I take everything back that I said. He don’t deserve a chance.”
Tuesday, Nurkic chirped Green on Twitter/X in response to Green’s podcast comments, referencing Green’s mandate to seek counseling during his suspension earlier this season for striking Nurkic.
“All good bad boy just don’t stay to long on podcast, gonna be late for therapy session,” Nurkic wrote.
During Saturday’s game, a dramatic 113-112 Warriors victory, Green and Nurkic went back and forth with taunts. First, Nurkic scored in the post over Green and lingered in the paint, patting the court as an over-accentuated “too small” gesture. Later, when Nurkic disrespectfully turned his back to Green when the Warriors forward had the ball on the perimeter, Green scored over him and traded the taunt back.
Their hard feelings started when Green clocked Nurkic in the head on Dec. 12, earning Green an ejection and the indefinite suspension that caused him to miss 16 games. After that incident, Nurkic said, “Personally, I feel like that brother needs help. I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me.” Nurkic later added that he respects the Warriors legend.
What Green took exception to on his podcast, though, was Nurkic saying the four-time All-Star didn’t deserve a second chance after serving his suspension.
“Following that game, the little guy goes into media and he says, ‘I take my words back. He doesn’t deserve another chance. It’s only a matter of time before he hits someone else,’” Green said on his podcast. “Quite frankly, I would love to know why is it only a matter of time before I hit someone else. Because I destroyed him? Because what in that game that happened with me would make you say something like that other than getting embarrassed because you’re just not good enough.”
Green also mentioned Suns star Kevin Durant, his former Warriors teammate, when airing out grievances. Durant had a similar message as Nurkic when Green first received the indefinite suspension, saying that he hoped Green gets “the help he needs.” Durant later clarified that he meant no ill will by the frankly well-intentioned remark. But Green took it differently.
“Guys are making a habit out of that,” Green said. “Him and Kevin questioning my character before, as if you’re going to question somebody’s character by the basketball game as if it’s not real life,” Green said. “As if that don’t affect people’s pockets. Like, I think all of it was really cowardly if you want my honest opinion.”
Green has picked up one technical foul in 12 games since returning from his suspension and has played excellent ball, helping the Warriors to seven wins in their last nine games. Against Nurkic and the Suns last Saturday, he outplayed the Phoenix center with a 15-point, 9-assist, 7-rebound gem.
The Warriors and Suns don’t have any more matchups remaining on the schedule, meaning Green and Nurkic’s next meeting this year would have to be in the postseason.