The method by which Draymond Green gave Joel Embiid his worst shooting night of the season

So much for Draymond Green’s lack of size dooming him as the Golden State Warriors’ full-time starting center. If Joel Embiid can’t exploit Dubs up front, it’s safe to say their new starting lineup will be just fine in that regard as the season continues.

Opening at small-ball five next to Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins for the second straight game, Green played a major part in Golden State’s 119-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. He finished with nine points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks, spearheading the Warriors’ physical, active effort on both sides of the ball.

Large as his presence loomed offensively while pushing the pace in transition, freeing Stephen Curry with screens and dribble hand-offs and finding Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga for a handful of easy backdoor finishes, Green’s biggest impact came on the other end. He shook off early foul trouble to tangle with Embiid on a possession-by-possession basis, refusing to give an inch to the reigning MVP no matter where they were on the floor.

Playing without Tyrese Maxey and De’Anthony Melton while on a balky left knee clearly not 100 percent certainly contributed to Embiid’s season-worst struggles against the Warriors. But even under those extremely unenviable circumstances, 14 points on 18 shots with eight turnovers are truly jarring numbers for a singular force like Embiid—and a testament to a rock-solid, team-wide defensive approach led by Green.

Opening at small-ball five next to Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins for the second straight game, Green played a major part in Golden State’s 119-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. He finished with nine points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks, spearheading the Warriors’ physical, active effort on both sides of the ball.

Large as his presence loomed offensively while pushing the pace in transition, freeing Stephen Curry with screens and dribble hand-offs and finding Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga for a handful of easy backdoor finishes, Green’s biggest impact came on the other end. He shook off early foul trouble to tangle with Embiid on a possession-by-possession basis, refusing to give an inch to the reigning MVP no matter where they were on the floor.

Playing without Tyrese Maxey and De’Anthony Melton while on a balky left knee clearly not 100 percent certainly contributed to Embiid’s season-worst struggles against the Warriors. But even under those extremely unenviable circumstances, 14 points on 18 shots with eight turnovers are truly jarring numbers for a singular force like Embiid—and a testament to a rock-solid, team-wide defensive approach led by Green.

“Guys like that, you just wanna try to make it tough on them. Like I said, you’re never gonna lock a Joel Embiid down. That’s just not what’s gonna happen. He’s gonna miss shots or he’s gonna make ‘em,” Green said after the game. “As a defender, it’s your responsibility to try to make those shots as tough as you can. We was able to get some good contests tonight and he missed some of the ones he usually makes, but you can play that dame defense and guy can go out there and get 70 like he did a few nights ago.”