The ongoing feud between Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić escalated further as Green made fun of Nurkić after the Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On The Draymond Green Show, Green called Nurkić a “big softie” and believed he didn’t make a substantial impact in the first round.
“Unfortunately, that is all folks,” Green said. “The tweet may have spoiled even faster from the big softie. Yeah, that is all folks. So you know, you got to be really careful when you’re not that successful and you try to take jabs at people. When you don’t play a large enough role in your team’s success. When you can’t really affect the outcome of the game like you can have 20 rebounds and lose a game… The big softie bowed out.”
That’s all Folks! 🤷♂️ @Money23Green pic.twitter.com/nzrgnbfjIP
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) April 29, 2024
When he said “That’s all folks,” Green was referring to the X (formerly Twitter) post of Nurkić making fun of the Warriors when they were knocked out of the play-in tournament with the cartoon show Looney Tunes‘ outro.
— Jusuf Nurkić 🇧🇦 (@bosnianbeast27) April 17, 2024
Starting the hostility between each other, Green slapped Nurkić in the face on Dec. 13, 2023, and was suspended for 12 games as a result.
All started on December 12th 2023 when Draymond Green striked Nurkic with a 360 backhand slap.
This Caused Draymond to get ejected and suspended for 12 games! pic.twitter.com/dVzW4thbqZ
— LoonMuse (@KevonLooneyMuse) February 11, 2024
After Green’s suspension, the matchup between the Suns and Warriors on Feb. 12 was circled on many NBA fans’ calendars. It was going to be interesting with how both players would respond when they saw and competed against each other.
Living up to the billing, both drove into the paint, traded the “too small” gestures after scoring on each other and argued. Phoenix would come out victorious, beating Golden State 112-106.
Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic exchanging 'too small' taunts.
You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/KAvAAb12KO
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) February 11, 2024
Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic going at it early 🍿
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/qs30y7V3PW
— ESPN (@espn) February 11, 2024
When responding postgame, the Suns center didn’t hold back as he thought that Green didn’t reflect on what he did to receive his suspension.
“It’s sad,” Nurkić said. “He didn’t learn anything. Just a matter of time, he’s going to hit somebody else again. Take back everything I said. He don’t deserve a chance.”
After the game Nurkic had something to say about Draymonds actions
"It's sad. He didn't learn anything. Just a matter of time until he hits somebody else again. I take back everything I said. He don't deserve a chance." pic.twitter.com/fbFcmX7DX3
— LoonMuse (@KevonLooneyMuse) February 11, 2024
Both would keep barking at each other back and forth before last night when Green clowned Nurkić and the Suns following their elimination. There has not been a response by Nurkić, at the time of reporting.
Phoenix fell 122-116 to the Timberwolves in Game 4 on Sunday night and is now eliminated from the playoffs. Nurkić had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists in the defeat.
With Nurkić signed with the Suns until 2026 and Green still having three more years on his contract with Golden State, this heated rivalry will surely continue for seasons to come.
Jusuf Nurkić made NBA playoff history after Suns were eliminated
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
