Golden State Warriors fans who wathed the team’s final regular-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers hoped they could secure their automatic playoff berth and face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
However, the team faltered against the visiting Clippers as they ran away with the win at the Chase Center. While Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler did everything to keep their automatic playoff spot over the Minnesota Timberwolves, LA proved to be too much as they didn’t have any defensive answer to James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
A crushing loss that forces them to face either the Hosuton Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round is not the ideal start to the Dubs’ postseason campaign. While there are intriguing narratives that could have changed the game’s complexion, Draymond Green admitted that his failure at one critical play cost the team dearly.
Draymond Green admits responsibility for the missed layup that cost the Golden State Warriors’ sixth seed
Green had a decent outing during Golden State’s 129-119 loss to the Clippers, finishing with 14 points, three boards, four assists, one steal, and two blocks.
However, Green’s big blunder happened late in the game. The Michigan State product had a chance to clinch the game if he made a wide-open layup. Whether it’s because of pressure or another factor, the four-time champion somehow missed a practice shot.
The forward understood the gravity of his mistake and instantly owned up to his shortcomings.
Per Fadeaway World’s Ishaan Bhattacharya:
Draymond Green: “I completely smoked a layup. And Buddy missed a shot.”
Reporter: “Was it the shot that you guys wanted?”
Draymond Green: “Yes. That was the play that was drawn up, we got the look, [Buddy] just missed it.”
It’s good that Green knows his botched shot cost the team the chance to face the Lakers in the first round. That type of accountability and leadership is vital for contenders that want to make a deep postseason run.
However, it’s hard for fans to keep giving him the pass when he’s already played in more high-pressure situations throughout his career. He needs to get his act together in the play-in tournament and the rest of the postseason if he wants to help Steph Curry secure their current era as one of the best in NBA history.
