Draymond Green Avoids NBA Fine for Confronting ‘Angel Reese’ Heckler

Draymond Green was given a warning—but no fine—for his fan interaction from Sunday’s game against the Pelicans. 

Green confronted a fan, later identified as 35-year-old Sam Green of New Orleans, while Pelicans forward Herb Jones was shooting free throws towards the end of the second quarter. The Warriors won the game 124–106. 

Sam Green was taunting Draymond Green with chants of “Angel Reese”, mocking the Warriors player about missing several layups.

Draymond Green walked over to Sam Green during the free throws and stood inches from him while keeping his hands on his hips. Sam Green held his arms at his sides as Draymond Green addressed him. 

Referees quickly came between them and no physical contact was made. Green was issued a warning by the NBA and won’t face further disciplinary action such as a suspension or a fine. 

The Warriors player has racked up a series of suspensions and fines for incidents with both fans and peers. He was fined $25,000 in 2022 for cursing at a fan and was suspended for five games in 2023 after putting Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock during an on-court scuffle. 

“It was a good joke at first, but you can’t keep calling me a woman,” Draymond Green told reporters after Sunday’s game. “I got four kids, one on the way. You can’t keep calling me a woman.” 

Green later corrected himself and said he was repeatedly called “a woman’s name.” 

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he couldn’t hear the back-and-forth between the two. 

“As long as it doesn’t escalate, it’s fine to go over and have a discussion,” Kerr said. “It would have been nice if security had gotten there a little bit earlier.”

Sam Green said Draymond Green shouted profanities at him earlier in the game and threatened to punch him if he continued to make the chants. He was warned by ushers about his behavior, but ultimately allowed to continue watching the game from his courtside seat. 

“I wasn’t using profanity, and for him to walk 12 feet off the court to come and get in my face like that, it was a little unnerving,” Sam Green said. 

“He was talking at first,” Draymond Green said. “Then you get a little closer and he didn’t really say much else. But it’s fine. We move on.”