Draymond Green has built his reputation on delivering when the stakes are highest.
The Golden State Warriors forward knows what it takes to perform under playoff pressure.
Throughout his 13-year career, he has captured four NBA championships and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
His experience in winner-take-all situations gives weight to his assessment of Sunday’s Game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking on his podcast alongside Baron Davis, Green offered his perspective on which team faces the greater burden heading into the decisive matchup.
“This is game seven of the NBA Finals. Everybody got pressure. Everybody wants to win, but all the pressure in this game is on OKC. You’ve had the best record all year, and it all comes down to one game. And what can you do to win this one game, but y’all supposed to win the game. You see what I’m saying, like Indiana’s not supposed to win that game,” Green said.
.@Money23Green & @BaronDavis talk about how all the pressure is on OKC in Game 7
Full Convo: https://t.co/PoAIyaYKU9 pic.twitter.com/Fc2JBjAL3x
— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) June 21, 2025
The Warriors veteran believes the Oklahoma City Thunder carries the heavier load despite both teams reaching this pivotal moment.
His reasoning centers on expectations and positioning.
The Thunder earned the league’s top seed through dominant regular-season play, creating an assumption that they should advance.
Indiana enters with a different dynamic entirely.
The Pacers weren’t expected to reach this stage, giving them the freedom that comes with exceeding projections.
They’ve already surpassed most predictions by winning the Eastern Conference and pushing this series to seven games.
Green understands how Game 7 scenarios unfold.
Single possessions, defensive stops, and momentum swings determine outcomes in these moments.
The margin for error disappears completely.
The Pacers have surprised the basketball world with their playoff run.
After stunning performances throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, they faced assumptions that their journey would end against the Thunder’s talented roster.
Thursday night changed that narrative entirely when Indiana dominated Game 6 to force this winner-take-all finale.
Rick Carlisle’s coaching has maximized the roster’s potential, with role players contributing meaningful minutes when needed.
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, this Pacers team has already authored one of the most memorable playoff stories in recent memory.
