A new chapter of the Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green feud is set to be written as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals this week. The anticipation surrounding this matchup is palpable, especially given the history between these two former Defensive Player of the Year winners.
The rivalry traces back to 2017, when Green was drafted 35th overall by the Warriors and Gobert, selected as the 27th pick by the Denver Nuggets before being traded to the Utah Jazz on the same day. Both players quickly established themselves as defensive powerhouses, with Green playing a pivotal role in the Warriors' dynasty that captured four championships between 2015 and 2022. Gobert, while not enjoying the same postseason success, made a name for himself as a dominant rim protector.
The rivalry truly began to heat up in 2019, when Gobert shed tears during a press conference after failing to make the All-Star team. Green didn't hold back, mocking him on social media, tweeting, "I guess I should cry too... no Charlotte?" This moment was just the beginning of a series of exchanges that would define their contentious relationship.
In the years that followed, Gobert won the Defensive Player of the Year award multiple times, while Green continued to take jabs at him. In 2022, during TNT's All-Star coverage, Green mocked Gobert's emotional moment, saying, "One thing I can assure you: If I didn’t make it this year, I wasn’t going to cry. I can 100 percent assure you that." He emphasized that he and Gobert were not alike, further fueling the animosity.
The rivalry reached a boiling point during the 2023-24 season when Gobert intervened in a scuffle involving Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels. Green responded by putting Gobert in a chokehold, an act that led to a five-game suspension for Green. This incident was widely discussed, and Gobert labeled Green's actions as "clown behaviour." In an ironic twist, Green later echoed Gobert's sentiments about insecurity after Gobert punched teammate Kyle Anderson.
As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 1 on May 6, 2025, both players are aware of the stakes. Green has already accumulated four technicals and two flagrant fouls in the postseason, showcasing his aggressive style of play. Meanwhile, Gobert comes off a stellar performance in the previous series, scoring 27 points and grabbing 24 rebounds in the decisive Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gobert expressed his focus on the team, saying, "To me, it’s a team matchup. I’m really focused on trying to help my team win and be the best Rudy I can be and play basketball. Obviously, he’s Draymond, he’s an all-time great defender; it’s going to be really physical." His words reflect a desire to rise above the personal drama and concentrate on the game.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch echoed Gobert's sentiments, emphasizing the need to focus on basketball despite the inevitable physicality of the matchup. He stated, "I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of physicality, some of it certainly on the edge of legality. There’s gonna be a lot of things said on the floor or outside the game itself; we got to focus and play basketball." Finch's advice highlights the importance of maintaining composure amidst the rivalry's intensity.
As the series unfolds, the backdrop of their feud will add an extra layer of intrigue to the games. Green's competitive nature and penchant for pushing boundaries are well-known, and Gobert is no stranger to physical play either. Both players are likely to test each other, and the playoff atmosphere will only amplify their rivalry.
In the lead-up to Game 1, Green has been vocal about his growth as a person since their infamous altercation. On his podcast, he mentioned, "I have grown so much as a human being since that moment," indicating a level of introspection that he hopes will carry into the series.
Despite the tension, both players recognize the significance of this matchup. Gobert stated, "He’s a fierce competitor, and so am I. I think for us it’s really about focusing on us. Outside noise, trash talking, all these things – it’s part of the game. But there’s a lot of things that can distract us from being as good as we can be and as connected as we can be to one another." This acknowledgment of the rivalry's impact on the game highlights the mental aspect of playoff basketball.
As the Timberwolves and Warriors prepare to clash, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling series. With Gobert and Green at the center of the action, the stakes have never been higher. Will they be able to keep their emotions in check, or will the rivalry boil over once again? Only time will tell as the playoffs unfold.
