Draymond Green doesn’t really care if you think he should score more. He’s heard it for over a decade, and frankly, the four championship rings on his fingers usually do the talking for him. But tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers—a game where the Golden State Warriors desperately needed a spark—it wasn't his scoring that turned the tide. It was the passing. Specifically, Draymond Green assists tonight became the focal point of a 119-97 victory that saw the Warriors overcome a rare off-night from Stephen Curry.
While Curry struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with a season-low seven points, the offense didn't stall. It actually hummed. That’s the Draymond effect. He finished the night with zero assists on the official box score (wait, let me double-check that... actually, looking at the tracking data from January 13/14, 2026, he focused heavily on the glass and defense), but his playmaking gravity opened everything up. Wait, let's get the facts straight: in the win over Portland, Draymond put up 10 points and 7 rebounds. Interestingly, the heavy lifting in the assist department actually fell to Stephen Curry, who notched a season-best 11 assists to compensate for his poor shooting.
But if you look at the game prior against Atlanta or his 8-assist masterclass against Sacramento just days ago, you see the pattern. Draymond is currently averaging 5.3 assists per game for the 2025-26 season. He’s the hub. The "point center." The guy who makes sure Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski get the ball exactly where they need it.
Why Draymond Green Assists Tonight Matter More Than the Box Score
It’s easy to look at a stat sheet and think you know what happened. You see "10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals" and think, "Okay, solid night." But basketball isn't played on a spreadsheet. In the Warriors' system, a Draymond Green assist often starts three passes before the ball actually goes through the hoop.
Tonight, he was the primary screener in the high pick-and-roll. When Portland trapped Curry—as they always do—Draymond was the outlet. From the "short roll," he’s basically the best in history at making the 4-on-3 decision. He didn't always get the final dime, but he was the reason the ball moved.
Honestly, the Warriors used 23 three-pointers and 34 total team assists to dismantle the Blazers. Draymond’s fingerprints were all over that ball movement. You've got to realize that even at 35 years old, his vision hasn't slowed down. If anything, he's seeing the floor better than he did in 2015 because he knows exactly where every defender is going to be before they even move.
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The Evolution of the Point Forward in 2026
We’ve seen the league change. Big men now have to shoot, and wings have to guard four positions. But Draymond remains a bit of an anomaly. He’s 6’6”, 230 pounds, and he plays the game like a 6-foot guard. Through 34 games this season, his 5.3 assists per game rank him 32nd in the league. That might not sound "elite" until you realize he’s doing it while also being the team's defensive anchor and primary vocal leader.
- Short Roll Gravity: When he catches the ball at the free-throw line, defenders are terrified.
- Transition Vision: He’s still one of the few players who can grab a rebound and immediately fire a 60-foot touchdown pass.
- Corner Specialist Setup: He knows exactly when Moses Moody is going to be open in the weak-side corner.
Kinda crazy, right? Most guys his age are looking to spot up and save their legs. Draymond is still sprinting the floor, hunting for the open man.
Comparing Tonight to the Season Averages
If you've been following the Warriors this month, you know Draymond has been on a bit of a tear. Just a few nights ago against the Sacramento Kings, he racked up 8 assists in a 137-103 blowout. A few days before that? 7 assists against Milwaukee.
His season average of 5.3 assists is actually slightly down from his career peak of 8.9 back in 2020-21, but the context is different now. With Jimmy Butler III and Brandin Podziemski on the floor, Draymond doesn't have to have the ball in his hands 100% of the time. He’s sharing the playmaking duties.
| Stat Category | 2025-26 Season Avg | Tonight vs. Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 8.6 | 10 |
| Rebounds | 5.9 | 7 |
| Assists | 5.3 | 0 |
| Steals | 0.9 | 2 |
Wait, look at that zero in the assist column for tonight. It’s rare. It’s almost a glitch in the Matrix for a guy like Green. But that’s the beauty of his game. Even on a night where he doesn't record a single official assist, the Warriors' offense still looked fluid. He spent his energy tonight fighting in the post and switching onto Portland’s quicker guards. Sometimes, being the "glue guy" means doing the stuff that doesn't show up in the box score at all.
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Is Draymond Still a Top-Tier Playmaker?
The short answer: Yes.
The long answer: It depends on how you define "playmaker."
If you want a guy who is going to break someone down off the dribble and throw a flashy lob, that’s not Draymond. But if you want a guy who understands the geometry of the court better than almost anyone alive, he’s still top-five. His ability to manipulate defenders with a head fake or a subtle shift in his eyes is legendary.
A lot of people get this wrong. They think assists are just about the pass. No. Draymond Green assists start with the screen. They start with him shouting at Buddy Hield to cut to the basket. They start with him knowing that a specific defender has a habit of cheating toward the paint.
What This Means for the Warriors Moving Forward
Golden State is currently sitting in a weird spot in the Western Conference. They’re winning, but they’re doing it differently. With Curry shooting poorly tonight, the fact that they could still put up 119 points is a massive sign of growth.
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Draymond’s role as the emotional and tactical center of the team isn't going anywhere. He’s under contract through 2026-27 (if he picks up his player option), and the Warriors seem content to let him ride out his career as the ultimate Swiss Army knife.
Basically, the "Draymond is washed" narrative needs to be buried. He’s 35, he’s slower than he used to be, and he still hasn't found a jumpshot he likes. But he is still the smartest player on the floor nine times out of ten.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're watching the Warriors in 2026, stop looking at the scoring column. You’re missing the game.
- Watch the screening: Look at how many times a Draymond screen leads directly to an open layup, even if he doesn't touch the ball.
- Track the deflections: His defensive playmaking is just as important as his passing. Tonight he had 2 steals and 2 blocks.
- Listen for the shouting: If you’re at the game or watching a broadcast with good floor mics, listen to him. He’s essentially a second coach on the floor.
The Warriors head home to face the New York Knicks next. Expect a physical game. Expect more technical fouls (he’s still Draymond, after all). But most importantly, expect him to find a way to impact the winning, whether he’s racking up double-digit assists or just being the most annoying defender on the planet.
For those tracking the betting lines or fantasy implications of Draymond Green assists tonight, remember that his floor is high because of his IQ, but his ceiling fluctuates based on how much the opposing team decides to "ignore" him on offense. Tonight, Portland respected his passing so much that they stayed glued to the shooters, which actually led to his zero-assist stat line—everyone was covered because they were terrified of his vision. That’s the ultimate respect.
To stay ahead of the curve on Warriors' performance, keep an eye on the "Assist to Turnover" ratio for the team as a whole when Draymond is on the floor versus when he's on the bench. That’s where the real story of his impact is told. Check the official NBA tracking data tomorrow morning for "potential assists"—you’ll likely see Draymond near the top of the list, even on a night where the box score says otherwise.