Warriors star Draymond Green got into an altercation with teammate Jordan Poole during practice Wednesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the incident.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because Golden State is still compiling details about the cause of the physical altercation and had not commented publicly. The Athletic was the first outlet to report the brawl, noting that it was Green who punched Poole.
The intense Green, a four-time NBA champion and four-time All-Star, has long been considered the leader of the Warriors. The striker has been willing to spar with his teammates when he sees fit.
Poole’s representatives are in talks with Warriors general manager Bob Myers about a contract extension for the shooting guard before the Oct. 17 deadline, one day before the defending NBA champions open the regular season. at home against the Lakers.
Both Poole and Andrew Wiggins insisted on media day that their unresolved contract issues weren’t top of their minds heading into preseason.
“It’s not something I discuss every day with Bob, but about anything that happens, he usually pulls me aside and shares what’s going on,” coach Steve Kerr said earlier this week. “… I know usually these things, as far as Jordan is concerned, they always go to the last second with all these rookie extensions.”
The Warriors returned to the Bay region this week and their training facility in San Francisco after a pair of preseason wins over the Wizards in Japan.