The disappointing end to the 76ers season was discussed by Morey and Rivers. (0:37)
Danny Green tore his left knee in Philadelphia's season-ending loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Miami Heat.
In the first quarter of Game 6 of the playoffs, Green was injured when 76ers star Embiid crashed into him, falling into his left leg after a shot attempt. Green initially said he wasn't aware of how serious the injury was until he tried to walk off the court after he spent time on the court in pain.
During his exit interview earlier Friday afternoon, Green said that he was trying to get inside to either get a rebound or not allow the other guy to double team him. I just remember taking a tumble, but I didn't know if it went in or not. I tried to get out as fast as possible. It happened so fast. I tried to pull my leg out, but it caught beneath me and he rolled into it.
I felt it when it happened. I knew I wouldn&t be able to return to the game, but I didn't realize how serious it was until I tried to put weight on it. It is probably going to take some time.
I heard sounds that were not comforting.
When his interview began, Green said that he was optimistic and hopeful that the injury wouldn't be as bad as it looked, and that he could possibly avoid knee surgery and be back in time for the start of next season. He will require surgery that will sideline him for the majority of the 2022-23 season, so that will no longer be the case.
Green, who will turn 35 next month, said that this was the first time in his career that he had suffered a knee injury and that he had never needed to have surgery before.
He said that it was not fun to think about it when you were starting your summer. I think the worst part was knowing that I couldn't help the team and that the energy changed when I wasn't on the floor.
76ers coach Doc Rivers and Green's teammates praised him for his decision to come to the bench and cheer on the team in the second half of the game. Green said that it was not much of a decision to do so.
He was frustrated because it took so long for the team's doctors to let him go.
The doctor didn't think it was a good idea for Green to come out earlier. He wanted me to stay in the back and keep the swelling down. I could just put my sweatshirt on and sit at a table and watch the game, whether it was help coaching or encouraging, just to have my energy there for them.
It took me a long time to get out there if I was not able to go. I sneaked out there at the last moment to see my guys and say goodbye to the fans.
Green had his lowest average points and minutes per game since his first two seasons in the league, when he was shuttling back and forth, as his injury closed an up-and-down season for him. This was the most challenging season of Green's career, he said. He said that was the case not only from a personal standpoint but because of everything the team dealt with, including the acquisition of James Harden midway through the year.
Green said that he had probably had more injuries this year than he had in his career total. Playing less minutes is starting, not starting. The injuries were more frustrating than anything else. I had to watch from the sideline the last two years because of an injury where I believe I can help my team so we can get to that next level. That is not great. Figuring out rotation, having guys not playing, trades, who is going to be traded, new team, new faces, trying to adapt and adjust. It was a roller-coaster year with injuries.
When asked about what transpired over the course of the season with the team, Green became the latest player to highlight some version of mental toughness as a problem.
It was noteworthy how often it came up over the past 24 hours, with at least three players -- Green, Harris and Niang -- all highlighting some aspect of mental toughness, intent or focus as something that has to change moving forward.
It was a roller-coaster ride, Green said. There were ups and downs. We have a lot of young guys as well. They did a good job handling it. Very well. We have some ways to go when it comes to being mentally tough, but I think it's just being mentally focused and mature. Staying locked in for 48 minutes during the season. That comes with age and maturity. We have a lot of young guys who are just learning. Some of them don't know how to win. Learn how to be a professional. I think we have a good foundation. If we were able to have everyone back next year, that is a pretty good start. We would be ahead of the curve to start the season. I think we will return to the talks of contention.
Green has a non-guaranteed contract worth $10 million for next season that will be guaranteed on July 1. The 76ers president of basketball operations said it was too early to say what the team would do with Green moving forward.
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