The 2025 NBA Playoffs have delivered no shortage of drama, but few moments have sparked as much buzz as Draymond Green’s contentious performance against the Houston Rockets in their Western Conference first-round series. The Golden State Warriors’ defensive linchpin, with a net worth reportedly around $90 million, has once again found himself at the heart of controversy, drawing both ire and admiration. Among his vocal supporters is former tennis star Nick Kyrgios, whose own flair for on-court theatrics makes him a kindred spirit. Kyrgios took to social media to praise Green’s unapologetic style, amplifying a reel of the Warriors star’s “savage” retorts with a caption that left no doubt about his admiration: “This is why Dray is my guy.”
Green’s antics in Game 4, which helped the Warriors secure a 109-106 victory and a commanding 3-1 series lead, were a masterclass in controlled chaos. The 35-year-old forward was a whirlwind on the court, racking up six points, eight rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes. But it was his defensive tenacity and psychological warfare that stole the show. Early in the second quarter, Green tangled with Houston’s Dillon Brooks, setting the tone for a chippy contest. Moments later, he was embroiled in a skirmish with Tari Eason, appearing to fall on top of the Rockets forward, sparking a heated altercation. “He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen in my life,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, praising Green’s ability to disrupt opponents while narrowly avoiding ejection despite accumulating five fouls, a technical, and a flagrant.
Kyrgios, no stranger to pushing boundaries himself, clearly relished Green’s approach. The 30-year-old Australian, who last competed at the Miami Open in March 2025 and has hinted at retiring from singles tennis, shared a reel on Instagram showcasing Green’s fiery exchanges with players like Steph Curry and Jayson Tatum. A lifelong basketball fan and avid Boston Celtics supporter, Kyrgios has often spoken of his love for the sport, once admitting that tennis was a “distant second” to hoops in his heart. His appreciation for Green likely stems from their shared penchant for embracing the villain role. “What he did and what he created for the sport of darts I think is phenomenal,” Green might say of Kyrgios, echoing a sentiment of mutual respect for those who thrive under pressure.
The Warriors-Rockets series has been a powder keg, with Green as the spark. In Game 3, he mocked Rockets star Jalen Green’s nail-painting habit during a post-game confrontation, a gesture that Jalen dismissed as mere talk. “He can’t really do much of anything else, so talking is his only way,” the younger Green fired back. Houston’s frustration boiled over, with Tari Eason’s mother, Teroya, taking to social media to lambast Green’s aggressive tactics, claiming he’d done “everything shy of pulling out a gun.” Dillon Brooks also labeled Green a “dirty player” after an incident involving Amen Thompson and an injured Jimmy Butler, further fueling the rivalry.
Yet, for every critic, Green’s supporters—like Kyrgios—see a player whose intensity is his superpower. His game-sealing stop against Alperen Şengün in Game 4, denying the Rockets’ big man in a clutch isolation play, was a testament to his defensive genius. “They always try to go at him,” teammate Kevon Looney said. “It never works.” As the series shifts to Houston for Game 5, Green’s ability to walk the fine line between provocation and brilliance remains the Warriors’ X-factor. For Kyrgios, watching from afar, Green’s unapologetic swagger is a reminder that in sports, as in life, the boldest voices often leave the deepest mark.
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