Warriors’ Green confronts fan over courtside taunt

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green confronted a courtside New Orleans Pelicans fan who was taunting him during his side’s victory in Louisiana.

Green approached the supporter after the 35-year-old was punished for a shooting foul while guarding Pelicans forward Herbert Jones during his team’s 124-106 victory in New Orleans.

As the two sides lined up for Jones’ foul shots, Green instead made his way over to the supporter, who stood with his hands outstretched and a grin on his face.

The pair exchanged words before match officials stepped between them and removed Green from the situation.

“He just kept calling me a woman,” Green said after the game.

The fan, Sam Green, said he chanted the name of WNBA forward Angel Reese at the forward because he had several rebound opportunities but had yet to make a shot.

“I wasn’t using profanity, and for him to walk 12 feet off the court to come and get in my face like that, it was a little unnerving,” said Sam Green.

The supporter was given a warning by stewards but was allowed to remain in his front-row seat.

“He was talking at first,” said Draymond Green, who was fined $25,000 (£19,000) for “directing obscene language” towards a fan in 2022.

“Then you get a little closer and he didn’t really say much else. But it’s fine. We move on.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he was unaware of what was said during the confrontation.

“As long as it doesn’t escalate,” Kerr said.