Draymond Green Calls Out Officiating After Warriors' Loss to Pistons: "We All Men"
SAN FRANCISCO - Draymond Green has never been shy about speaking his mind, and after the Warriors' 131-124 loss to the Pistons, the veteran forward once again found himself in the spotlight - not for his play, but for a heated exchange with the officials that resulted in his 10th technical foul of the season.
The moment in question came midway through the second quarter. Green was cutting toward the paint when he felt he was clearly held by Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart - a no-call that didn’t sit well with the four-time All-Star.
As head coach Steve Kerr challenged the play, Green followed referee J.T. Orr toward the scorer’s table, continuing to argue the missed call.
That’s when things escalated.
According to Green, Orr put a hand in his face during the exchange - a gesture Green took serious issue with.
“I find it very ironic that I got a technical foul for telling a Caucasian referee not to put his hand in my face,” Green said postgame. “As a Black man in America, don't put your hand in my face.
And I said, ‘Hey, don't put your hand in my face.’ And I gotta tech.
So I thought that was the most interesting thing of the night. Next to my bobblehead.”
The technical was Green’s 10th of the season, putting him six away from an automatic one-game suspension under the NBA’s rules. That’s familiar territory for Green, who’s racked up 209 technicals over the course of his career - a stat that underscores both his intensity and his complicated relationship with NBA officiating.
But this wasn’t just about one moment or one missed call. Green pointed to a broader issue he saw during the game: inconsistency.
Specifically, he called out what he felt were uncalled delay-of-game violations by Detroit. He noted that Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson was holding the ball after made baskets, slowing down Golden State’s ability to inbound quickly - something that went unpunished by the refs.
On the flip side, when Steph Curry did something similar, the Warriors were hit with a delay-of-game.
“Same referee, J.T. Orr, he’s like, ‘Oh, well, maybe you got a point,’” Green said.
“No shit, it’s the rule. Can’t change the rule in the middle of the game.”
Green made it clear that, in his eyes, the standard of respect between players and officials has to be mutual.
“Everybody want to talk about holding a line of respect; that line needs to be held both ways,” he said. “If the line won’t be held both ways, then the line won’t be held from my way either.
Because we all men. We all can make decisions and choices.
So let that be the last time that happens.”
It’s classic Draymond - fiery, unfiltered, and demanding accountability from everyone on the floor, not just his teammates or opponents. And while his approach has often drawn criticism, it’s also what’s made him a central figure in Golden State’s dynasty - a player whose passion and voice are as much a part of his game as his defense or playmaking.
As the Warriors continue to navigate a turbulent season, Green’s leadership - and his ability to stay on the floor - will be crucial. But with the technical count climbing and tensions with officials still simmering, the line between fire and fallout is getting thinner by the game.
Draymond Green sounded off on the officials from tonight for giving him a technical foul:
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) January 31, 2026
“I find it very ironic I got a technical foul for telling a Caucasian referee not to put his hand in my face. As a black man in America, don’t put your hand in my face.”
Full soundbite: pic.twitter.com/TH92Cv3iSO
Still, Green seemed to take it all in stride by the end of his postgame comments. When asked about his history with officials, he cracked a smile.
“I’ve had interactions with all of them,” he said, drawing laughter from the room.
For better or worse, Draymond Green remains one of the NBA’s most compelling voices - and a player who refuses to stay silent when he feels the game isn’t being called the way it should.