Draymond Green Expresses Remorse After Poole’s 38-Point Game

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Draymond Green left the Golden State Warriors‘ 125-118 victory over the Washington Wizards early on Saturday, but the veteran forward made headlines postgame with a heartfelt message. Jordan Poole, Green’s former teammate and the subject of a highly publicized altercation in 2022, scored 38 points against his old team and expressed lingering affection for the Warriors organization.

“Yeah, I love those guys over there. I love most of those guys over there,” Poole told reporters after the game. “A really good group. A really good staff. Shout out to the fans. I saw a lot of 3 jerseys out there, a lot of JP3 jerseys, which is always really cool. I always get a lot of love [here]. I spent some good quality time here, and it’s dope to see it appreciated.”

Green, who infamously punched Poole during a preseason practice in October 2022, responded to Poole’s comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a simple yet poignant message: “I really am sorry.” The incident, which occurred over two years ago, has been a recurring topic of discussion for both players.

In a recent interview with Penny Hardaway, Green reflected on the altercation, calling it one of his “biggest failures as a vet.” He acknowledged his struggles with leadership early in his career, stating, “I kind of got thrust into a vet role before I was ready to handle it… And I failed miserably.” Green also expressed regret over his relationship with Poole, who had initially sought mentorship from him. “[He] was someone that I would spend time with and that I would pour into, and I [f–ked] it all up,” Green admitted.

Poole, now with the Wizards, has remained tight-lipped about the incident. When asked about his relationship with Green after the Warriors’ playoff elimination in 2023, Poole told The Ringer‘s Logan Murdock, “I don’t have no answer for you… Other than that, we was just on the court and teammates, and we was out there trying to win games.” He emphasized that their interactions were strictly professional, adding, “It’s just business, honestly.”

Since the altercation, Green has faced multiple on-court controversies, including an indefinite suspension last season for repeated altercations. However, the 34-year-old has maintained a clean record during the 2024-25 NBA season, signaling potential personal growth. His postgame message on Saturday suggests that remorse over the Poole incident continues to weigh heavily on him.