Draymond Green has faced questions that usually avoid direct answers. However, this time he did not dodge them. During his show, The Draymond Green Show, a fan asked him if any on-court conflict had caused regret, and his response surprised everyone.
“I haven’t had many fights. We’ve had these moments. The one I regret, I’m not someone who lives with regrets,” he began. Then came the key phrase. “But a moment I really remember is the moment with Yusuf Nurkic, because I think that moment cost me the chance to win a third Olympic gold medal.”
Green’s admission sparks conversation
According to Essentiallysports, the episode led to a suspension. The sanction kept him out of the preliminary pool for Team USA toward Paris 2024, and he was a realistic option to make the Olympic roster. He lost a legitimate chance to claim his third gold medal, which made the frustration evident.
Draymond Green boxed Jusuf Nurkic in the face 🤯pic.twitter.com/vPH3XCOoM3
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) December 13, 2023
USA Basketball explained the decision through a statement. Grant Hill said Green was navigating a complex moment both on and off the court. The program believed distancing him from the competitive environment would allow him to stabilize.
That incident was not isolated, as another recent altercation with Rudy Gobert resulted in an additional suspension. His public image took a hit to the point that Green needed therapy. He revealed it publicly, because the situation affected him not only as an athlete but also personally. His family faced online harassment, and the emotional pressure became overwhelming.
Despite everything, Green said he does not live trapped by that memory. Still, he admitted it was the one moment he would change if he had the chance. His career already includes four NBA championships and a Defensive Player of the Year award, achievements that helped define his legacy.
Green remains fully active today, but that episode marked a before and after. The consequences were real: Team USA lost one of its vocal leaders, while he lost a historic opportunity.
