Did Draymond Green foul Alperen Sengun on the last ball? Here's the explanation

In a tense Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs Western Conference First Round, the Golden State Warriors narrowly defeated the Houston Rockets 109-106. The outcome hinged on the game's final possession, featuring a high-stakes matchup between two prominent figures in the series: veteran defensive specialist Draymond Green and rising young star Alperen Sengun.

With the Rockets trailing by just one point in the closing seconds, Alperen Sengun, widely recognized as one of the league's best young prospects, received the ball, poised to take a shot that could have potentially tied the series at 2-2. Standing in his way was Draymond Green, a seasoned and highly decorated defender with a reputation for elite playmaking on that end of the court, evidenced by his 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and four selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015, 2016, 2017, 2021).

The individual battle between Sengun and Green had already captured attention earlier in the series, notably after Sengun recorded a memorable poster dunk over Green in the opening seconds of Game 1. This heightened the focus on their matchups throughout the series.

In this pivotal Game 4 moment, Green executed textbook defense. He stayed disciplined, keeping his feet planted and arms held high without making illegal contact. Sengun ultimately took the shot, but it missed, and the Warriors secured the rebound as the clock wound down. No foul was called on the play, preserving the Warriors' narrow lead and sealing their 109-106 victory.

Immediately following such a crucial, no-call play in a tight playoff game, debate often arises among fans and analysts regarding whether a foul occurred. However, the NBA's official review mechanism, the Last Two Minute (L2M) Report, provided clarity the following day. According to the league's final assessment of the play, Draymond Green's defense on Alperen Sengun was confirmed to be clean. The report stated there was no contact made that warranted a foul call, validating Green's defensive stand as a legitimate, albeit "physical," display of elite defense in the game's biggest moment.

The victory was paramount for Golden State. Winning Game 4 at home to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series shifted the momentum significantly in their favor. Avoiding a 2-2 tie and a difficult scenario heading back to Houston, the Warriors, with their championship experience and mentality, now possess a commanding lead.

Green's decisive defensive play, along with clutch offensive contributions from players like Stephen Curry and strong shooting from Jimmy Butler, proved instrumental in securing this critical win and keeping the Warriors' aspirations in the Western Conference Playoffs alive. The sequence underscored Green's invaluable defensive skill, timing, footwork, and discipline honed over years of high-pressure playoff basketball, ensuring the Rockets could not steal the game at the very end.