The Golden State Warriors’ hopes of securing a direct playoff berth were dashed in a dramatic overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, and veteran forward Draymond Green has stepped forward to take accountability for a crucial mistake that contributed to the team’s fate.
The 124–119 defeat on Sunday night relegated the Warriors to the play-in tournament, a disappointing outcome for a team with championship aspirations.
DRAYMOND?!?!
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 13, 2025
With the Warriors trailing 121–119 in overtime, Green found himself with a golden opportunity to tie the game. After receiving a clean pass in the pocket, he had a wide-open look at the basket but missed the layup—a moment that haunted the team down the stretch. Reflecting on the play, Green admitted,
“I completely smoked a layup. GP [Gary Payton II] made a good play in the pocket, and I smoked the layup.”
Draymond Green on the two late plays in OT — his missed layup and Buddy’s missed three:
“I completely smoked a layup. And Buddy missed a shot.”
Q: “Was it the shot that you guys wanted?”
“Yes. That was the play that was drawn up, we got the look, [Buddy] just missed it.” pic.twitter.com/VXXqBPHRKF
— KNBR (@KNBR) April 13, 2025
Green’s missed shot was compounded by Buddy Hield’s missed three-point attempt on the Warriors’ final possession, sealing the Clippers’ victory and the Warriors’ fate in the play-in tournament.
In his postgame comments, Green didn’t shy away from taking ownership of the mistake.
“That was the play that was drawn up; we got the look, [Buddy] just missed it,” Green said.
The loss means the Warriors will now face the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, with their postseason hopes hanging in the balance. While the play-in format offers a second chance, it also adds pressure and uncertainty to the team’s path forward. Green, however, remains optimistic about the Warriors’ ability to regroup and make a deep playoff run.
“We’re not senior citizens. We’re high-level basketball players. If we had to play tomorrow, we would be all right,” Green said.
As the Warriors prepare for the play-in tournament, Green’s veteran’s leadership, combined with the star power of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, gives the Warriors a fighting chance to secure their playoff spot and prove their resilience.
