Jordan Poole Breaks Silence on Draymond Green Punch, While Green Reignites the Fire
Jordan Poole didn’t say much - just two words, in fact - but sometimes that’s all it takes to stir up old headlines.
When a young fan asked the New Orleans Pelicans guard what it was like getting punched by Draymond Green, Poole’s response was simple: “It’s tough.”
That punch, of course, wasn’t just any scuffle. It was the moment that shook the Golden State Warriors’ 2022-23 preseason and cast a long shadow over the locker room.
During a heated practice confrontation, Green - a four-time NBA champion and longtime emotional leader of the Warriors - threw a punch that connected squarely with Poole’s face. The incident was caught on video, leaked to the public, and became an unavoidable storyline for a team with championship aspirations.
Green apologized, was fined by the organization, and stepped away from team activities for a brief period. But the damage was done. The chemistry that had helped fuel Golden State’s dynastic run took a hit, and while the team tried to move forward, the tension lingered.
Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards in the offseason, a move that was viewed by many as a fresh start for both sides. Green later reflected on the incident, calling it one of the lowest points of his career.
But if there was any hope of the dust fully settling, Green himself may have kicked it back up.
On an episode of his podcast, Green took a not-so-subtle jab at Poole while discussing a recent on-court altercation between Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams during a December 27 game between the Pelicans and the Suns. The scuffle began when Alvarado fought through a screen by Williams, leading to a hard collision and escalating into a full-blown confrontation. Both players were hit with fighting technicals and ejected.
Green, watching the incident unfold, took the opportunity to mock Poole’s reaction during the altercation.
“If I’m in a fight and my teammate is standing behind and doing this,” Green said, mimicking a wide-eyed, frozen expression. “Come on man. We can’t be doing that.”
He followed it up with a bit of locker room wisdom passed down from veteran David West: “David used to always tell us, if something goes wrong on the court, you go over there because you don’t know what’s going to happen. I ain’t saying you gotta fight. But what if those five guys jump on your one teammate?”
It was a clear shot - and a reminder that while the Warriors may have moved on from the Poole-Green saga on paper, the emotional residue still lingers.
Poole, now in a new uniform and a new city, has largely stayed quiet about the incident. His brief comment - “It’s tough” - was delivered without drama or elaboration. But in the NBA, where every quote and every moment is magnified, it was more than enough to reignite a storyline that refuses to fade.
As for Green, his comments suggest he’s not quite ready to let it go either. Whether it’s a reflection of lingering frustration, a defense mechanism, or just Draymond being Draymond, it’s clear that this chapter of the Warriors’ history still has a few pages left to turn.