Draymond Green Slam on Donte DiVincenzo Sparks Outrage During Warriors’ Game 4 Loss

Warriors fall to Timberwolves as Green’s physical play triggers social media firestorm

Last night, the highly anticipated Game 4 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves was overshadowed by controversy. Draymond Green appeared to choke slam Donte DiVincenzo during a scramble for the ball. The incident occurred in the first half of a tightly contested game at the Chase Center in San Francisco. As a result, it immediately went viral on social media.

What made the moment even more polarizing was the absence of a foul call from referees. Despite the aggressive nature of the play, Green faced no in-game discipline, leading fans and analysts alike to question the officiating and the precedent it sets for playoff basketball.

Game Recap: Timberwolves Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

The Timberwolves edged out the Warriors with a 117-110 victory, pushing their series lead to 3-1 and positioning themselves one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 31 points, while Anthony Edwards added 30, shooting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc.

Golden State struggled without their franchise cornerstone, Stephen Curry, who missed the game due to a left hamstring strain. The offense faltered particularly in the third quarter, where they managed only 17 points.

Despite the loss, Draymond Green contributed 7 rebounds and played his usual high-energy defense — though his most talked-about impact came via the controversial play involving DiVincenzo.

Breaking Down the Incident

The viral moment unfolded when Donte DiVincenzo, now a Timberwolves guard, lost control of the ball during a drive. As the ball slipped between Draymond Green’s legs, DiVincenzo lunged to retrieve it. Green, appearing to react instinctively, reached out and grabbed DiVincenzo around the upper body — possibly the neck — and threw him to the floor.

The slam-like motion immediately drew comparisons to wrestling moves. The moment was captured from multiple angles, and slowed-down footage showed Green’s arm hooking near DiVincenzo’s shoulder and neck region.

What ignited fan fury was that no foul was called. No flagrant, no technical, and no stoppage of play. The game continued, but social media did not.

Social Media Erupts: “Choke Slam” Trends

The moment lit up X (formerly Twitter), with posts racking up millions of views and tens of thousands of interactions. One particularly viral post from @HaterReport_ captioned the incident:

“Dawg Draymond Green just choke slammed Donte DiVincenzo and the refs just watching 😭”

The video clip has already surpassed 1 million views, with replies ranging from shock to disbelief:

• “How does the league let this slide?”
• “That’s at least a Flagrant 2 in any normal game.”
• “It’s WWE at this point.”

The term “choke slam” quickly trended, with users posting comparisons to past Green incidents and questioning if his reputation gives him immunity from calls others would not escape.

Draymond Green’s History and the Officiating Debate

Green’s track record is long and complicated. Known for his emotional play and defensive intensity, he’s also no stranger to disciplinary action.

In this year’s playoffs alone, Green has already accumulated:

• 2 flagrant fouls
• 5 technical fouls
• A controversial elbow to Naz Reid in Game 2
• A Flagrant 1 foul in Game 7 vs. Houston

This follows previous years that included:

• A 2016 suspension during the NBA Finals
• An indefinite suspension in 2023 for hitting Jusuf Nurkic
• Multiple fines and ejections for verbal outbursts and unsportsmanlike conduct

Critics argue the league has inconsistently enforced rules around Green’s behavior, citing what they believe is a double standard. Supporters, however, contend that Green walks a thin line but remains essential to the Warriors’ competitive identity.

Draymond Green, long ago, established himself as the Warriors’ emotional leader. When they rose to prominence, he became the de facto tough guy in the league. Playing in an era of finesse, Green’s antics come off more like bullying.

Meanwhile, it’s given him the confidence to say that he, and undersized big, is the greatest defender of all-time. Comments like those were met with laughter from guys like Shaq, who dominated the physical era. However, in this current era, Green’s physical play is causing him to receive much backlash and scrutiny.

NBA Response: Silence So Far

As of the morning of May 13, 2025, the NBA has yet to issue any official statement or disciplinary ruling regarding the incident. No press release or postgame review has surfaced, and no mention of potential fines or suspensions has been made.

This silence adds to fan frustration and fuels speculation about whether the league will address the situation at all — especially given Green’s history and how close he is to automatic suspension thresholds.

Notably, if Green receives two more technical fouls, he would trigger another playoff suspension.

What’s Next for the Series?

Game 5 is set for May 14 in Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves will look to close out the series. With the Warriors down 3-1 and Curry’s status still in doubt, Golden State faces an uphill battle.

Whether or not the NBA issues a ruling on Green’s actions, the moment has already shaped the narrative of the series. It has also reignited broader conversations about player conduct, officiating consistency, and the line between physicality and recklessness.

For Donte DiVincenzo, there are no reported injuries, and he finished the game after the altercation. Still, the physicality of the playoffs — and Green’s role in defining its edge — remains a contentious talking point.

Closing Thoughts

Draymond Green’s physical brand of basketball is nothing new — but the viral nature of Monday night’s “choke slam” incident has turned it into a national conversation.

The play highlights persistent tension between intensity and discipline, passion and control, reputation and regulation.

With the Timberwolves just one game away from eliminating the Warriors, and the NBA still silent, fans are left wondering whether Draymond will face accountability — or whether, once again, the moment will pass without consequence.

The coming days will reveal whether this play was merely another hard-nosed moment in a chippy playoff series or a flashpoint that forces the league to revisit how it disciplines repeat offenders.