Some witnesses told Wojnarowski and Spears that the closed-door exchange was one of the most intense of this Warriors era. However, no one had to be separated, no player left his seat and no hint of physicality loomed in the setting, sources said.
Wojnarowski and Spears reported earlier Tuesday that the organization was taking seriously the fallout from the confrontation and was spending the day working through the issues that might have been created — or even advanced — within the team’s dynamic.
Warriors officials were weighing whether comments made between teammates had crossed a line, sources said.
Durant’s impending free agency heightens the sensitivity of the turmoil.
Teammates argued with Green over his choice in the final moments to keep the ball instead of passing to Durant for a try at a game-winning shot, sources said. Meanwhile, Green was forceful in defending himself, which helped to escalate the volume in the room, sources said.
Durant was visibly upset when Green gathered a defensive rebound in the final moments of a tie game and dribbled the ball up the court before losing control without a shot. Durant was seen clapping his hands, an apparent call for the ball.
Neither player addressed the media after the game, but veteran point guard Shaun Livingston downplayed the heated exchange.
“Just team spirit,” Livingston said. “Team spirit. Guys wanted a different outcome than what happened. Obviously, Dray had the turnover, guys might have thought they were open or wanted the basketball, didn’t get it. Things happen like that in sports. But it was good to see some fire, some emotion.”
Powered by WPeMatico
