The Golden State Warriors evened up the 2022 NBA Finals series with a Game 4 win Friday night. Now, the Warriors and Boston Celtics are tied with two wins apiece heading into Game 5 in San Francisco.
Despite the much-needed win, the Warriors' overall performance wasn't great. Stephen Curry proved why he deserves Finals MVP with a stunning 43-point performance. However, players like Draymond Green and Klay Thompson underperformed once again.
Steve Kerr even bench Green with over seven minutes left in Game 4. He told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami that it was “a huge test” for the Warriors center.
“This is a huge test for him, this series,” Kerr said. “From an emotional standpoint. A little bit like OKC back in ’16, a little bit like Memphis early in the playoffs this year. Certain matchups make things tough for him to score inside and run pick-and-roll and that’s OK. It’s just a matter of figuring it out and doing whatever you have to do.”
Green had a tough time putting up points in Game 4, only managing two in 33 minutes. He also had two points in Game 3 and has averaged 4.25 points in the Finals so far.
He told reporters that Kerr never told him he was going to bench him, “nor did he need to.” Green knew he was struggling offensively. “As long as we win the game, whether I’m playing, or Wigs is playing, or Loon is playing, or whoever else is playing…As long as we win, I really don’t care,” he explained.
Green has another chance to redeem himself with Game 5 Monday night.