The Golden State Warriors are widely considered underdogs this season as they are severely shorthanded presently without Stephen Curry (runner’s knee) and Jimmy Butler (torn ACL). Yet that did not stop them from putting up a valiant effort last night in a 126-113 loss to the upsurging San Antonio Spurs.
Draymond Green led all scorers with a strong performance, nearly ending with a triple-double. He finished the game with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 6-14 from the field (42.9 FG%) and 2-8 from beyond the arc (25.0 3P%).
As the veteran leader on the floor for the Warriors, Green felt it was his responsibility to take the burden on his shoulders, especially when Curry and Butler are not on the floor. With a little less than nine minutes left in the third quarter, with the Warriors leading 80-70, Green was seen intensely talking to Brandin Podziemski, among other Warriors players on the bench.
Draymond CRASHED OUT on Podz last night 👀 pic.twitter.com/eTsoTLuDRA
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 12, 2026
It did not seem as aggressive as the viral leaked footage from earlier this season of an intense debate on the sidelines between Green and head coach Steve Kerr. Most fans recognized that the post’s caption exaggerated the incident, and it wasn’t hostile.
But some fans described Green’s intensity in that conversation as a “crashout,” urging him to target Podziemski, who has recently been under public scrutiny for lack of consistency.
“Does this dude do anything but crashout?”
“Seems like he was trying to teach, I didn’t see any crashing out.”
“Do it draymond and we’ll forgive you for Poole.”
“Coaching and mentoring – not crashed out. He does all things with passion and energy. Love him while he’s still around.”
“This is what guarding Wemby does to you.”
“Leave Dray alone. Not every one of his vids needs to be false news to misjudge him. He’s clearly putting his young teammate on game. And Podz is listening.”
Sensible Golden State fans understood that Green was simply being passionate and guiding a young teammate, not crashing out at him. Eventually, the Warriors did choke a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, but considering that this incident also occurred in the third quarter, when they comfortably led by 10 points, Green would not have any reason to yell at someone except to stay locked into the game.
Podziemski finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal while shooting 5-12 from the floor (41.7 FG%) and 1-4 from beyond the arc (25.0 3P%).
Just recently, Kerr explained that Green had not been closing games for the Warriors, as the team was more cohesive defensively and offensively in his absence down the stretch, and Green recognized his changing role on the team.
The Warriors eventually lost the game in the fourth quarter, but this matchup helped Draymond Green regain some confidence before the All-Star break.
Since Brandon Ingram has replaced Curry for the All-Star break, the Warriors’ entire roster can use this week as a much-needed break heading into the second and more intense half of the season. After their return to action, the Warriors will face the Celtics on Thursday, February 19, at the Chase Center.
