Draymond Green Opens Up With Emotional Confession About His Regret In Jusuf Nurkic Fight

In a candid moment, NBA veteran Draymond Green has opened up about what he calls the one big regret of his career — an altercation with Jusuf Nurkić that cost him a shot at a third Olympic gold medal.

Green says he doesn’t usually live with regrets, but he singled out that night as the exception.

He reflected, “The one that I really look back on is actually the moment with Jusuf Nurkić … because I actually think that moment cost me an opportunity to win a third gold medal.”

The incident — a flagged blow to Nurkić’s face during a regular-season game — triggered a league suspension. That suspension then ruled Green out of the 2024 Olympics roster consideration, ending his hopes to compete for a third straight Olympic basketball gold after 2016 and 2021.

Green called the moment “that one,” implying that despite his fiery, competitive nature, that blow was a misstep he deeply regrets. He acknowledged the consequences extend beyond a single ejection or fine, pointing out the lost opportunity to represent his country on the biggest international stage.

While he stopped short of dwelling on the past, Green said he’s learned from the mistake and is trying to move forward. He emphasized that although his history includes many emotionally charged incidents, this one stands out because it cost him something he values greatly — the chance to win for Team USA.

His admission adds a humbling layer to a player often defined by intensity and aggression: even for someone known for rarely backing down, sometimes the hardest fights are the ones against one’s own impulses.