In November 2023, during a regular season game between the Warriors and Timberwolves, things got wild fast, leaving fans and players shaken. Less than two minutes into the game, Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels got into it, but the real shock came when things escalated. It wasn’t even about Draymond Green or Rudy Gobert at first. Rudy stepped in to try and cool things down, holding Klay back, but then Dray swooped in out of nowhere and put Rudy in a headlock, almost choking him. That move ended up getting Draymond suspended, and the whole situation left everyone buzzing.

Recently, Karl-Anthony Towns spoke about the altercation on the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast with Shannon Sharpe. When Sharpe asked what sparked the drama between Rudy and Dray, KAT kept it real. He said he was just as shocked as everyone else at how it all went down. “I was surprised when it happened too … I feel like everyone in there was like, ‘Wait, is this really happening right now?” Towns said, reflecting on the chaotic moment.

From what he observed, it seemed like Rudy was only trying to hold Klay Thompson back, but Draymond took things to a whole different level. The headlock caught everyone off guard, leaving people wondering if there was more to the situation. Sharpe, sensing there might be deeper feelings at play, asked the pressing question: “What’s the animosity between Draymond and Rudy… did Draymond feel that Rudy got some Defensive Player of the Year awards that belonged to him?”

Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on the altercation between Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green during his appearance on the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast with Shannon Sharpe. When asked about any possible animosity between the two, KAT was candid. “I don’t know… to be honest, I just… you know you always hear the hoopla, and we just always… we’re just tuning everything out,” he said. “Like I said, I was surprised when it happened too. I feel like everyone in there was like, ‘Wait, is this really happening right now?’ And we’re all trying to separate Draymond from Rudy and the whole situation.”

What really stood out, though, was KAT’s insight into Rudy’s reaction after the incident. While many might expect lingering frustration or anger, Towns revealed the opposite. “For those who don’t know Rudy Gobert, “he laughs about it… he jokes around about it, so it’s not like he’s really salty, you know, he gets aggravated… he laughs, and jokes himself about it,” he shared. Towns admired how Rudy handled the situation, adding, “I think it just shows his character… he just enjoys what he does, and he cares about his craft and cares about his team.”

Even though it looks like Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert aren’t holding any major grudges now, their beef didn’t start with that infamous game altercation. It goes way back to 2018, when Rudy snagged the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. That win sparked something, and things have been simmering between them ever since.

From chirping to headlock: Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert’s beef history

The tension between Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert didn’t start in 2023—it had been building for years. It all began back in 2017 when Draymond won the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, and Rudy later took the title in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. But this wasn’t just about the awards—it was about pride and respect.

The beef really started in May 2017 when Rudy gave Draymond a flagrant foul during garbage time in the Western Conference semifinals, kicking things off. By October 2018, things got more heated when physical play between them turned into a small scuffle. It didn’t turn into a full-on fight, but the bad blood was obvious. Then, in December 2018, Draymond took a shot at Rudy after a steal, showing it wasn’t just about basketball anymore—it was personal.

The back-and-forth didn’t end. In 2019, when Rudy missed out on the All-Star team and got emotional, Draymond went in on Twitter, mocking him with, “I guess I should cry too… no Charlotte?” followed by three crying emojis. That hit hard, showing Draymond wasn’t one to let things slide. The chirping continued, with Draymond throwing shade in interviews and on social media.

In 2022, Draymond said, “You keep mentioning me in the same sentence with him. We’re not alike,” making it clear he didn’t rate Rudy. And when the Timberwolves picked up Rudy and talked about championship aspirations, Draymond couldn’t help but laugh, adding more fuel to the fire.

Their paths continued to cross on the court, with moments like Draymond laughing at Rudy after he fell during a 2022 game. Off the court, their rivalry only grew more complicated, especially after Rudy’s incident with his teammate, Kyle Anderson, when he threw a punch during a heated exchange. Ironically, this echoed Draymond’s punch to teammate Jordan Poole, drawing uncomfortable comparisons between the two. Draymond’s reaction to Rudy’s outburst was sharp, tweeting, “Insecurity hits loud,” keeping the rivalry alive through social media.

And then, the culmination: Draymond putting Rudy in a chokehold during their 2023 game. The intensity of that moment didn’t just come from one incident—it was years of brewing competition, rivalry, and personal jabs. While things seem quiet for now, you can’t help but wonder if the fire between them has truly burned out, or if it’s just waiting for the next spark when the two meet again.

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.