After the Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Draymond Green offered a bold assessment of his teammates’ performance and the challenges that lie ahead.

© Todd Kirkland/Getty Images Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter at State Farm Arena on March 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

One of the most impressive teams in recent games has been the Golden State Warriors. With a 41-30 record and 11-4 since Jimmy Butler’s arrival, the Warriors are working hard to secure a playoff spot.

However, their performance against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday fell short, and Draymond Green offered a candid take after the loss.

With Stephen Curry sidelined, the Warriors struggled to deliver their best performance against the Hawks. Although the margin of defeat wasn’t significant, Green pointed out several mistakes that cost the team.

He didn’t hold back in addressing his teammates and the game plan used in Saturday’s matchup.

“We didn’t come out ready to play. It felt like we were going to get diced up defensively in the first quarter,” Green said. “We’ve got to be better, and it starts with me. We were terrible defensively.”

Green also added, “The guys didn’t get into the rhythm of the game. Once we do, we’ll be able to compete. We have to come out ready for the next matchups.” His comments served as a wake-up call for his teammates, and himself, after a lackluster start against the Hawks.

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors made a basket against the Charlotte Hornets.

Green reflects on Warriors’ late-game struggles

As the Warriors struggled to regain momentum in the final minutes of their game, the lack of execution, particularly from Green, was evident.

 The Hawks capitalized on the Warriors’ shortcomings, making it difficult for Golden State to maintain their playoff hopes.

“Terrible luck. We got ourselves into a position where we could compete for something. There are 11 games left, everything to play for, and we can’t afford a loss like that. We should’ve won, given the opportunity we have right now,” Green remarked to the media.

It’s rare to see Green so concerned about his team’s performance, but on this occasion, he wasn’t pleased with the statistics or the lack of execution from his teammates.

 That frustration may serve as the catalyst to spark a turnaround, as the Warriors look to regroup and secure a win in Miami.

Green previews Warriors’ matchup against the Heat

With everything still on the line and a commitment to minimizing mistakes, the Warriors head to Miami for a crucial game against the Heat.

The stakes are high, particularly with Jimmy Butler’s anticipated return to his former home. Green shared his thoughts on what the Warriors need to do to beat the Heat.

“We’ve got to come to play. Play defensively, play hard. We’ve got Jimmy over here, and this is a big game for him. It’s huge for him. We want to win for Jimmy, but we also have to come out ready to play. We know who the Miami Heat are, they play hard and are extremely disciplined,” Green said.