SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green called the release of the video of him punching Jordan Poole at a recent practice a “huge embarrassment.”
Speaking for the first time since news broke about the incident, Green took ownership for his actions and apologized to Poole, his family and the team.
“I was wrong for my actions that took place on Wednesday and for that, I have apologized to my team. I have apologized to Jordan,” Green said.
Green said he’s stepping away from the team for a few days to work on himself and give Poole and the team space.
He also said ongoing contract negotiations “had absolutely nothing to do with anything.”
“I don’t count other people’s pockets,” Green said.
Green said he has a “really good personal relationship” with Poole. He took him under his wing, advocated for him and encouraged him to have a voice.
“I’m disappointed that this is something I created that we have to go through,” Green said. “And like I said, for that reason, I’ll do all that I have to do to make it right. But this won’t affect winning. Winners win.”
The Warriors launched an investigation Friday into how footage showing Green punching Poole in the face this week at a closed-door practice made its way into the hands of TMZ.
The video, viewed more than 32 million times on Twitter in the first 24 hours, shows Green and Poole talking before Green walks over to Poole and bumps him in the chest. Poole responded by pushing Green away, followed by Green taking a swing at Poole.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers, coach Steve Kerr and star guard Steph Curry spoke Thursday about the incident after news broke Wednesday night of potential discipline for Green.
Myers said “everybody’s fine” and Green apologized to Poole and the team Thursday morning before leaving the facility before practice. Myers noted the team would handle any discipline internally and he did not anticipate Green to miss any games, though that was before the video was released. The Warriors returned to Chase Center for practice Saturday after they were off Friday.
