In what was the Warriors’ most important game of the season so far, Draymond Green got off to an ugly start.
But the veteran forward showed up when it mattered most and the Warriors were able to pull off the critical Game 4 win over the Celtics in front of passionate Boston fans at TD Garden on Friday.
Leading them to victory was Warriors superstar Steph Curry, who detailed how Green managed to stay focused down the stretch.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“Championship grit,” Curry told ESPN reporter Lisa Salters after the game. “He knows he can still play better, but to turn the page, get rid of that first half, make winning plays, just show his presence and determination. We do this together, there’s no doubt about it. It’s not an individual thing and it’s not just a stat sheet so we got to do it for two more wins.”
Curry, who's playing in his 10th season with Green, continues to have the utmost confidence in his partner-in-crime.
Also familiar with Green, head coach Steve Kerr, who despite pulling Green out during crucial moments of the game, trusted him enough to close it out.
And instead of letting it bother him, Green did what he had to do to help the team pull out a win.
Golden State Warriors
Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Knowing what Green is capable of on the floor, the four-time All-Star has been criticized during this Finals series for his lack of impact on the games.
His efforts typically don’t show up on stat sheets, but the effect he has on the court can be felt from afar.
While that’s been missing this series, the Warriors still head back home tied two-games-apiece with homecourt advantage for Game 5 on Monday.
RELATED: LeBron reacts to Steph's nuclear Game 4 third quarter
However, Golden State will need its one-of-a-kind leader to be in full Green-mode if they want to win their fourth ring in eight years.