Warriors’ Draymond Green Voices Concerns About Christmas Games

The Golden State Warriors have been a powerhouse since 2014, earning four NBA titles in just eight years. This rise is quite remarkable, especially considering the team’s long history of struggles. With stars like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still on the squad, the Warriors have solidified their place among the league’s elite. They’re even a staple on Christmas Day, having played each holiday for the last 13 seasons.

In 2022, the Warriors clinched the NBA Finals, but they’ve seen some changes in the lineup over the past few seasons. Just recently, they took down the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day. However, Green expressed that he’d prefer to take the day off.

On a podcast leading up to the holiday game, Green remarked that playing on Christmas could detract from players’ time with their families. He said, “Playing on Christmas Day sucks, too. The number one reason it sucks is what I just mentioned; it can affect your mood.”

He continued to emphasize that players, like everyone else, look forward to spending the day with family. “It’s a bit confusing for us because while others are at home or on vacation, we’re at work,” Green noted.

He doesn’t hold back his frustration, suggesting that when people say it’s an honor to play on Christmas, they might not truly appreciate what players miss. “I hate it when they say that,” he declared. Honestly, it’s refreshing to hear candid thoughts like his—sometimes it feels like everyone forgets the human side of athletes.

Green, who has played every Christmas since he joined the league in 2012, doesn’t see the NBA ending its tradition anytime soon. Yet, with the NFL also now holding games on Christmas, it’s clear that competition is heating up. Just this past Monday, the Warriors beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-107, and they’ll be back on the court on New Year’s Eve, facing off against the Charlotte Hornets.