Inside The Warriors

Draymond Green Sends Strong Message to Teammate After Warriors-Thunder

The Golden State Warriors fell to the OKC Thunder.

Joey Linn

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts during the first half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts during the first half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. / John Hefti-Imagn Images
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The Golden State Warriors have hit their first rough patch of the NBA season. Starting the year on fire, Golden State has now lost three-straight games for the first time this season. The most recent loss came to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a game that Steph Curry did not play due to injury.

The Warriors trailed by as many as 19 points in this game, but had a chance to tie on the final possession. Making a nice pass to a cutting Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green found his teammate for the game-tying layup attempt. A bit off-balance, Wiggins was unable to convert, and Oklahoma City escaped with a victory. 

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made a starting lineup change for this game, subbing in Brandin Podziemski for the injured Curry, and also inserting Jonathan Kuminga into the starting five. 

“Steph not being there definitely influences things for us,” Kerr explained after the game. “Pairing Trayce [Jackson-Davis] and Draymond without Steph, without a pick and roll player, makes it really tricky offensively. So that’s why I did it.”

Kuminga had 19 points on just 8/21 shooting. Resharing a highlight dunk from the young forward, Green sent a strong message to him on Instagram. 

“Just live in your promise,” Green wrote. “Be the ⭐️ are Young! It’s time”

Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green sends a message to teammate Jonathan Kuminga. / money23green / Instagram

The Warriors reportedly held Kuminga out of multiple different trade scenarios this offseason, showing a lot of belief in the former lottery pick. Kuminga’s minutes and role have not quite reflected that belief this season, as he has started only four games and is averaging just 23 minutes per contest.

Because the Warriors are still in win-now mode, Kerr is not going to give Kuminga extended minutes solely for the purpose of his development. Averaging 13.6 points on 43.8% from the field and 30.5% from deep, Kuminga has shown flashes this season, but has not been as consistent as the team would like to see. 

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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