Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has an NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award to his name, so it really shouldn't come as a surprise that he would deny Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum at the rim when given the chance.

Going up with the right hand on the left side of the basket is merely too easy for Green, a defensive savant who is willing to pin the ball off any quadrant of the backboard when given the opportunity. It's been an injury-plagued 2018-19 campaign for Green, who has seen his average drop to just 1.0 block per game, but it didn't take long for him to hit his average Tuesday.

Article Continues Below
More Warriors News
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) looks to pass the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) plays defense in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga’s lab work caught on video ahead of free agencyJackson Stone ·
Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) looks on during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center with Draymond Green and Thunder's Chet Holmgren in the background
Warriors’ Draymond Green drops Alex Caruso over Chet Holmgren NBA Finals takeJosue Pavon ·
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the second half.
Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski hilariously shoots down Steve Kerr comparisonsJosh Davis ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
How Don Nelson will ‘protest’ Luka Doncic trade at award ceremonyMalik Brown ·
Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena
Former Warrior Nick Young admits ‘confusion’ on JR Smith ruining LeBron James’ NBA Finals masterpieceJosue Pavon ·
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Warriors’ Draymond Green reveals Kevin Durant trade was ‘at finish line’Troy Finnegan ·

Each of the past five seasons has seen Green average better than one steal and block per game. After three straight All-Star nominations from 2015-18, Green was held out this season, due primarily to early season ailments that have kept him from getting into an offensive rhythm. Still, he has collected All-NBA Defensive team honors each of the past four years.

Having long served as the captain of Golden State's defensive unit, Green is going to need to continue bringing that level of tenacity come the postseason, as the Warriors are currently allowing the second-most points per game (112.1) of any Western Conference team in line to make the playoffs. It's unlikely that Green claims his second Defensive Player of the Year trophy amongst a crowded field, but he certainly has an excellent chance of claiming another ring should he anchor his defense over the next few months.