Draymond Green addressed the Golden State Warriors’ 126-102 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, citing effort and team dynamics as key issues.
“We got outplayed for sure. They played much harder,” Green said during Tuesday’s postgame press conference.
Green emphasized the need for the Warriors to “fight your way out” of a rut, admitting the team’s current identity does not reflect that. He added, “Right now, that’s not the identity of this team.”
Turnovers were a concern, but Green noted they were only part of the problem. “It’s definitely an issue. But they had 20 turnovers, too, and they beat us by 30. So, it’s a lot more issues than just that,” he explained.
Comparing the current roster to last season, Green highlighted commitment as the difference. “Everybody was committed to winning and doing that any way possible. And right now, it doesn’t feel that way,” he said. He stressed that personal agendas must align with the team’s goals.
Green praised the Thunder’s cohesion and leadership. “You have to like each other, which leads to the magic, and you have to understand roles. They know their roles. They have a top dog, a number two, everybody comes in, and they know their role,” he observed.
The veteran forward reflected on the challenges of figuring out roles. “It requires selflessness because your role won’t always be what you want it to be. But you got to be a star in that role,” Green said.
Regarding his own status, Green indicated he feels physically ready but will follow the team’s plan. “I feel pretty good. But there’s always a plan in place, so you try to figure it out as you go,” he added.
Green’s remarks underscored a broader concern about Golden State’s chemistry and execution. The Warriors struggled offensively with Stephen Curry returning from illness, scoring 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Jonathan Kuminga led the team with 13 points, while Green himself was called for a personal foul and technical in the second quarter.
The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, dominated Golden State at Paycom Center. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points with 11 assists in three quarters, while Holmgren went a perfect 9-for-9 from the field for 23 points.
Golden State falls to 6-6, while Oklahoma City improves to 11-1. The Warriors visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, and the Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers.
