Draymond Green kicks Tari Eason in the head during Warriors vs Rockets playoff clash [VIDEO]

Draymond Green Sparks Controversy After Kicking Tari Eason in the Head During Game 4 Brawl

The intensity of the NBA Playoffs was on full display during Game 4 between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets on April 28, 2025. A tense, physical matchup turned explosive when Draymond Green was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for kicking Rockets forward Tari Eason in the head during a chaotic scramble for a loose ball.

The incident unfolded late in the second quarter at Chase Center with the game tied 36-36, and immediately lit up social media with fans, analysts, and players chiming in. After all, this kind of behavior has become synonymous with Draymond’s name.

Breaking Down the Incident: What Happened Between Draymond and Tari?

As the Warriors and Rockets battled for a Game 4 victory, a loose ball sent Draymond Green and Tari Eason diving to the floor. Green was trying to recover the ball. As a result, he got tangled with Eason. So, in the process, Green’s left foot appeared to connect with Eason’s neck.

Referees reviewed the play, ultimately issuing Green a Flagrant 1 foul — a serious penalty. However, it’s not enough to eject him from the game. Eason was also hit with a technical foul for standing up and reacting strongly after the contact.

Multiple camera angles showed Green’s leg striking Eason in a way that some viewers called deliberate. Meanwhile others argued it was simply an unfortunate part of a physical scramble. Through Draymond’s career, he’s had numerous situations like this. As a result, there are some fans who’ve had enough.

“No normal human being just ‘falls’ like this. Draymond Green is literally trying to kick Tari Eason in the head,” one viral X post claimed, while others defended the Warriors star, saying the fall looked typical for a high-intensity playoff moment.

In the past, Draymond’s play has harmed the Warriors. Draymond, himself, said it was his fault the Warriors lost in 2016. He blames his rough play on LeBron James.

Officiating Decisions and Fallout

Despite already carrying one technical foul from earlier in the game, Green was allowed to stay in the contest, avoiding an automatic ejection that would have followed a second tech. The Flagrant 1 ruling implied that while the contact was unnecessary, it wasn’t judged as hostile enough to warrant a Flagrant 2 and immediate removal.

Tari Eason’s technical foul, meanwhile, sparked additional controversy. Fans noted he was penalized merely for reacting to being kicked. As a result, there was even more backlash for Draymond. Through his career, he’s become known for plays like this. Last season, Green got his infamous indefinite suspension for his rough play. Now, fans are watching him do it again.

Rockets vs Warriors: Bad Blood Brewing

This wasn’t the first flashpoint between the two sides. The entire first-round series between Houston and Golden State had been filled with hard fouls, trash talk, and rising tempers.

Earlier in Game 2, Eason was hit with a technical for throwing a towel at Warriors guard Pat Spencer. Before that, Draymond had several run-ins with Rockets players, including Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, stirring up tension at every turn.

The chippy atmosphere reached a boiling point in Game 4, where even Stephen Curry and Brooks got into a shoving match — each earning a technical — setting the stage for the Green-Eason altercation.

Social Media Reactions: Fans Divided

The altercation instantly went viral.

• “Reggie Miller DUMB AF talkin’ about ‘momentum.’ Draymond blatantly kicks Tari Eason’s head into the ground. Smfh,” one X user blasted the TNT commentator.
• Another, @FlightWeeed, defended Green: “Tari Eason literally pushed Draymond first. Like are we watching the same game???”
• @jmslicknyc escalated the outrage, tweeting: “You’d think it was the UFC but it’s just a playoff series.”
• Others, like @F1lthyP1neapple, suggested Eason might have been baiting Green into reacting emotionally, a known tactic against the fiery Warriors veteran.

While opinions varied, the common thread was clear: Draymond Green once again found himself at the center of playoff drama — a familiar role in his decorated yet controversial career.

Historical Context: Draymond Green’s Long Line of Playoff Scuffles

For longtime NBA fans, Green’s name is synonymous with postseason altercations. From his infamous suspension during the 2016 NBA Finals to countless technical fouls, Green has a well-earned reputation for toeing (and sometimes crossing) the line between intense competitor and liability.

In fact, earlier this season, Green was suspended multiple games for a Flagrant 1 foul on the Grizzlies’ Zach Edey and had already racked up over $1 million in career fines before the 2025 playoffs began.

Meanwhile, Tari Eason’s emergence as a tough, physical wing has drawn comparisons to Green himself. That’s a comparison Green acknowledged on his podcast in 2024 when he called Eason “the next great defender of this generation.”

Game 4 Aftermath and Series Implications

At the time of the altercation, the Warriors and Rockets were locked in a 36-36 tie. Every possession mattered, and emotions were clearly running high. After that, the game remained close.

Although Green remained in the game, it remains to be seen whether the NBA will review the incident and potentially upgrade the foul retroactively. That’s a possibility, especially given Green’s history.

The Warriors entered Game 4 with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after a commanding 104-93 victory in Game 3. The physical battle for momentum and psychological edge in Game 4 was proven pivotal. After all, both teams look to advance deeper into the postseason. Now, the Warriors have a 3-1 lead in the series. This comes after winning 109-106 at home.

Game 5 is set for April 30, 2025, at the Toyota Center in Houston. Tensions are reaching new highs. So, expect fireworks both on and off the court.

Final Thoughts

Draymond Green’s controversial kick to Tari Eason’s head during Game 4 exemplified everything that makes playoff basketball intense, chaotic, and unforgettable. Whether viewed as an accident, a reaction, or an intentional cheap shot, the moment will be dissected by fans, analysts, and the league office in the days ahead.

Now, the Warriors are one win away from closing the Rockets out. Of course, no one knows better than they that a 3-1 lead is no guarantee. So, the Warriors hope to dominate the next game. With Game 5 in Houston, it will be a tough battle. However, it’s one the Warriors prepared for.

As the Warriors and Rockets prepare for the critical Game 5, one thing is certain: the battle between these two fiery teams has just reached a new level of personal.