Steve Kerr Says Draymond Green ‘Took It Too Far’ With Chokehold of Rudy Gobert

“It was a terrible visual for the league, for Draymond, for everybody.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the on-court altercation during Tuesday’s game against the Timberwolves which resulted in a five-game suspension for Draymond Green.

During the altercation, Green forcibly separated Rudy Gobert and Klay Thompson by dragging Gobert away in a chokehold. 

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kerr called Green’s actions “inexcusable” and admitted that he took things too far during the heated moment. 

“Yes, he definitely took it too far,” said Kerr when asked about the incident during a press conference, per 95.7 The Game.

“I didn’t have a problem with him getting Rudy [Gobert] off of Klay [Thompson]. Because the rule of thumb is that you don’t put your hands on a player on the other team. You get your own guy. So, I thought Rudy was wrong for putting his arms on Klay, regardless of his intentions,” Kerr explained.

“Yes, he definitely took it too far.”

Steve Kerr on Draymond/Gobert incident and suspension pic.twitter.com/fwcBFQQVFX

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) November 17, 2023

“But he’s got to let go. And he hung on for six, seven seconds, and it was a terrible visual for the league, for Draymond, for everybody. Draymond was wrong. He knows that. It was a bad look. The five games was deserved. And we move forward.”

The five-game ban is the fifth time Green has been suspended in his career. He missed a game in Golden State’s playoff series against the Kings last season following an incident with Domantas Sabonis. 

Green will be eligible to return from his suspension on Tuesday, Nov. 28, when the Warriors are in Sacramento.