The Golden State Warriors are in the middle of a heated first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, with the series tied at one game apiece heading into Game 3 on Saturday night.

However, amidst the intensity of the playoffs, the NBA made a historic announcement regarding Warriors forward Draymond Green.

After being named a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year and falling short to Cleveland Cavaliers star Evan Mobley, Green was honored with the prestigious NBA Hustle Award.

He is now just the second former Defensive Player of the Year to win the award, joining Marcus Smart, who has won it three times. At 35 years old, Green has also become the oldest player in NBA history to receive the award.

Golden State Warriors forward-center Draymond Green is the winner of the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award,” the NBA posted.

“The award honors a player who makes the effort plays that do not often appear in the box score but help determine team success.” Golden State Warriors forward-center Draymond Green is the winner of the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award.

The award honors a player who makes the effort plays that do not often appear in the box score but help determine team success.

Inside Green’s impact https://t.co/rwSEDs8oaKpic.twitter.com/a9nDmVTvmP

Golden State Warriors forward-center Draymond Green is the winner of the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award.

The award honors a player who makes the effort plays that do not often appear in the box score but help determine team success.

Inside Green's impact ➡️ https://t.co/rwSEDs8oaK pic.twitter.com/a9nDmVTvmP

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 25, 2025

In response to the news, Green’s teammate, Stephen Curry, shared a candid message on his Instagram story, writing, “Respect [Draymond Green]. Definitely my DPOY too but see you on the 1st team.”

Curry and Green have been teammates on the Warriors since 2012, playing pivotal roles in shaping the team’s rise to become one of the most dominant NBA dynasties in recent history.

Green’s relentless hustle and defensive prowess were evident throughout the season, as he ranked in the top 15 across five different hustle stats and categories. Notably, he became the first player to rank in the top 40 of all nine hustle categories used to determine the award winner, further cementing his legacy as one of the league’s most tenacious and impactful defenders.