Fighting for a place in the starting lineup ‘doesn’t motivate me,’ Draymond Green says

April 3, 2026

This article was last updated by Krishna Gurung on May 9, 2026

of the Golden State Warriors recently claimed in an interview that he is not motivated by the league’s new.

The Warriors are currently in tenth place, one game ahead of the Sacramento Kings in the fight for the final play-in spot.

“To be honest with you, I don’t go into these games thinking like, ‘Man, we need to win these games to get to the playoffs,’”  said this after his team’s 116-109 loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday.

“I hate f—ing losing, so when I step on the floor, I want to win. But I’ll be 100 percent honest with you; fighting for a play-in spot does not motivate me. We’re in what, [9th]? Fighting for a [play-in] spot doesn’t motivate me at all.”

Green, a three-time Warriors champion, added that the prospect of making the playoffs will not inspire him any more than the prospect of not losing does.

“I want to win every game I play because I hate losing,” he said.

“That s— really bothers me. So that’s what motivates me, not fighting for some play-in spot.

The NBA has both conferences’ 7-10 seeds battling for a chance to make the playoffs after the experiment worked so well in the bubble last season.

Green was asked if his opinion of the play-in game would change in a few weeks if it was the team’s last chance to make the playoffs.

Green’s Feelings

“No, it still won’t motivate me,” Green said. “I step on the court and I’m going to give 110 percent whether it’s the play-in game or not. But, no play-in game is going to motivate me at this point in my career. That’s just kind of what it is. Playoff basketball is definitely motivating, but a play-in game doesn’t motivate me. And that won’t change today, tomorrow, in a month or two months or two years from now.

“I want to win. That’s enough motivation for me, but I’m not going to spend every day like, ‘Man, we’re right on the cusp of that play-in’ — I don’t give a damn about that play-in game. If that’s where we are and we’re in the game, yeah, I’m going to do all I can to win the game. But, the play-in situation isn’t going to get me out of my bed like I got to bust my ass today because we’re fighting for the play-in spot. That ain’t going to push me.”

The Warriors’ is in his ninth season with the team.

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Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta is a dynamic writer and sports enthusiast, whose passion for both realms is reflected in his work. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Aaditya brings a unique perspective to his writing, captivating readers with his engaging content.

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