Defending champions Golden State Warriors started the new season in the NBA with a convincing victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (123:109). But more importantly, things seem to be back to normal between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole.

Two weeks ago, the two got into an argument during a training session. Leaked footage showed young talent Poole being punched in the face by Green, the Warriors’ veteran defensive end.

The following tweet shows Green slapping Poole in the face:

Poole’s contribution to the first win of the season was twelve points and seven assists. He gave one of those assists to Green, who scored with a simple layup.

Mutual advice

Green himself had four points and five assists. Due to a delay in training, he was given little playing time by coach Steve Kerr. After the training incident, Green stayed away from the Warriors for a week. The club emphasized that the player was not suspended but that the decision was made “by mutual consent” to allow Green “to process his emotions”.

Poole’s contract with the NBA champion was extended by four years on Sunday. The 23 year old shooting guard will earn no less than 140 million dollars (equivalent to 142 million euros) during this period.

“Green has apologized,” Poole said of the incident. They were accepted and Poole bears no grudges against his teammate who is nine years his senior. “We’re here to play basketball.”

“Everyone in our dressing room knows what it takes to be champions. We are here to be champions again, that’s all I have to say about the event,” said Poole.

Convincing victory

Before the start of the first game of the season, Golden State players received the championship rings. With a convincing victory over the Lakers (with star players LeBron James and Russell Westbrook), the defending champion placed himself in the immediate contender for a championship extension. San Francisco star Stephen Curry was the star with 33 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

“We were here to do our job and win the game,” Poole replied after the game when asked if Green’s problems were completely gone. “We focused on that first game and we had a great win against a very strong side.”

Green has previously apologized publicly for the punch he dealt. After the win over the Lakers, he did not speak to the media to reflect on the incident.