Draymond Green detailed his approach to late-game defense, his mindset with five fouls, and the leadership role he’s embraced after the Warriors’ Game 4 win.
Speaking postgame, Green explained how he balanced aggression and caution while playing with five fouls in the closing minutes.
“I’m never going to be one of the guys that just because you got fouls, you don’t defend,” Green said. “I feel very confident in my defensive ability to defend without fouling.”
He emphasized the importance of staying fundamental and focused, especially when guarding Alperen Sengun in the post during crucial possessions.
On Sengun’s final isolation play, Green said he waited for the exact moment to contest without risking a foul.
“Stack always tells us there’s a time that you have to get serious,” he said. “I thought I found a good spot. He took a deep jump hook.”
Green also addressed the second-quarter technical foul and a stretch where the Rockets tried to “muddy the game up,” but said the Warriors kept their composure.
“We kept it pushing,” he said bluntly.
Despite playing with a technical for most of the game, Green said he never worried about being ejected.
“I wasn’t worried about a second T,” he added. “Can’t play the game worrying… Playoff basketball—you got to give it everything you got.”
Green took time to spotlight Brandin Podziemski’s 26-point performance and the poise he showed in a high-pressure game.
“I like to call it irrational confidence,” Green said. “He’s one of those guys that you just—you want on your side… Smart as hell on both ends of the floor.”
He also praised Jimmy Butler for playing through injury and making key plays late, including a contested rebound Green initially thought came from Jonathan Kuminga.
“His presence is huge,” Green said. “First three quarters he couldn’t move… and yet he never complained.”
Green confirmed that Butler’s impact extended beyond scoring.
“When the time was right, everybody on our side looked to get him the ball,” he said. “And when you get him the ball, he made great things happen for himself or for others.”
When asked about his appreciation for being back in the playoffs after missing last season, Green said the motivation hasn’t changed.
“When you’ve been to the mountaintop, it’s a little tough for other things to excite you—except getting back to the mountaintop,” he said. “To have the opportunity at this point to still compete and make a run for it—it’s all you can ask for.”
He concluded by recognizing team owner Joe Lacob’s standard for success.
“This guy doesn’t allow us to just walk around here like—if the goal isn’t to get to the mountaintop, he’s not happy,” Green said.
