The Golden State Warriors suffered a painful 102-97 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 on Saturday, with veteran forward Draymond Green once again at the center of controversy after fouling out with nearly five minutes remaining.
While many fans will point to Green's exit as the primary reason for the Warriors' loss, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced story. The 35-year-old's foul trouble was plagued by questionable officiating decisions that significantly impacted the game's momentum.
Green's third foul on Rudy Gobert early in the second half raised eyebrows, but it was his fourth foul on a Julius Randle drive that proved particularly contentious. Despite Golden State challenging the call, officials upheld the decision, sending Green to the bench and shifting the game's trajectory. At that point, Minnesota had managed just 50 points in nearly 30 minutes but proceeded to score 52 in the final 18 minutes.
Following the game, Warriors guard Buddy Hield expressed frustration with the officiating: "I just don't understand the rules. Draymond is an all-world defensive player and if a guy puts his forearm in your chest... it's automatic. They don't take that long."
Green's fifth and sixth fouls were equally debatable. The fifth came after a Minnesota-initiated review, while head coach Steve Kerr had already used his challenge on the fourth foul, leaving him unable to contest the sixth foul called on a Jaden McDaniels drive.
However, while the officiating deserves scrutiny, Green's offensive performance was undeniably problematic. He managed just two points on 1-of-4 shooting, but more damaging were his five turnovers, including multiple errant entry passes to Jonathan Kuminga. According to Statbet analysis, turnover rates increase by nearly 15% in playoff games compared to regular season, making ball security even more crucial in these high-pressure situations.
With Stephen Curry sidelined, the Warriors had minimal room for error offensively, making Green's careless passing particularly costly in what ultimately became a five-point defeat after Golden State had led early in the fourth quarter.
The loss represents a critical turning point in the series, leaving the Warriors in a precarious position as they look to bounce back in Game 4.
