Draymond Green Praises Kevin Durant and Devin Booker After Heated Ejection

Despite their on-court clash, the Warriors forward had kind words for his former teammate and the Suns star.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:35pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic energy of a heated basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the players' movements and emotions.A cubist interpretation of the heated exchange between Draymond Green and Devin Booker that led to their ejections, capturing the intensity and complexity of their on-court rivalry.Phoenix Today

Even though Draymond Green and Kevin Durant have had an at-times contentious relationship, the Golden State Warriors forward praised his former teammate after the Phoenix Suns ended his season with a 111-96 win in the play-in tournament. Green said 'there will be no Kevin slander' because Durant is still a great player, and he also hyped up Suns star Devin Booker for leading his team to a quick turnaround and a return to the postseason.

Why it matters

The relationship between Green and Durant has been closely watched since their time together with the Warriors, and this latest interaction shows they can still respect each other's talents despite any past issues. Booker's strong season also proved he can lead a team back to the playoffs even after major roster changes.

The details

Green's praise for Durant came despite the Suns' success this season after trading him last summer. Green said he won't 'slander' Durant because he's still a great player. Green also hyped up Booker for putting his head down and leading the Suns to the playoffs after they were 'getting rid of' Durant and Bradley Beal. This came after Green and Booker were both ejected late in the fourth quarter following a hard foul and heated verbal exchange.

  • The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96 in the play-in tournament on April 18, 2026.

The players

Draymond Green

A forward for the Golden State Warriors who has had a contentious relationship with former teammate Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant

A former player for the Golden State Warriors who was traded to the Phoenix Suns last summer.

Devin Booker

The star player for the Phoenix Suns who led his team to the playoffs this season after major roster changes.

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What they’re saying

“There will be no Kevin slander. He's still a great player.”

— Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Forward

“Give Devin Booker credit...everybody's like, 'yo he's chasing money and he's just gonna stay there and die and why is he standing there and not requesting a trade' and he put his head down and led a group.”

— Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Forward

The takeaway

Despite their heated on-court clash, Draymond Green showed respect for both his former Warriors teammate Kevin Durant and the Suns' Devin Booker, praising their talents and ability to lead their teams. This interaction highlights the complex relationships between NBA stars, even when there is a history of tension.