https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/For-Warriors-Draymond-Green-and-Jordan-Poole-17511010.php

During their 119-112 preseason loss to the Nuggets at Chase Center on Friday night, the Golden State Warriors offered few — if any — hints at the drama that had unfolded over the previous week.

Exactly seven days after video went viral of Draymond Green punching teammate Jordan Poole in practice, Green dapped up Poole pregame, shouted encouraging words at him and high-fived him after made shots. The two players’ locker stalls were still adjacent to one another, just as they have been since the start of Poole’s rookie season three years ago.

Perhaps the only notable oddity was the NBA’s stats system crashing.. After the game, media received a bare-bones box score with only points, shot attempts and fouls. Neither Green nor Poole — six and three points, respectively — had particularly memorable nights.

That is, if you viewed the Warriors’ preseason finale in a vacuum. What made Friday so compelling was all that was left unsaid. For an entire week, chatter about Green punching Poole dominated Warriors news conferences and sports talk radio. Now, with Green back from an extended absence, Golden State wants desperately to act as if all is fine.

Few can blame it. With their regular-season opener just a few days away, the Warriors must focus on actual basketball if they hope to repeat as NBA champions.

Green must again be a world-class passer and defender. Poole must again deliver dizzying offensive sequences reminiscent of Stephen Curry. As for the rest of their teammates? They must at least try to move past the disturbing image of Green striking Poole.

If Friday was any indicator, the Warriors appear capable. This is a franchise that weathered plenty — both on the court and off — to win four championships in eight years. Though head coach Steve Kerr conceded recently that Green’s punch of Poole is the “biggest crisis” in his near-decade with the Warriors, few organizations are better-equipped for such a calamity.

In addition to the winning culture that comes with a modern-day dynasty, Golden State has four proven, respected locker-room leaders: Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney. In the leadup to Green’s return, a slew of players, executives, coaches and team staffers mobilized to ensure everyone turned their focus toward what matters most: another title.

It feels akin to a married couple choosing to stay together until the kids leave for college. The big difference here, though, is that struggling couples don’t have their issues analyzed at length on SportsCenter.

Even if video of Green punching Poole never went public, the Warriors would have had to work through some locker-room drama. But the fact that TMZ did publish that 57-second clip made matters so much trickier.

Regardless of how badly the Warriors might want to pretend everything is OK, millions of people outside their locker room know what happened at practice last week. For weeks — perhaps even months — to come, spectators will break down every little interaction between Green and Poole, searching for the tiniest hint of lingering tension.

In that sense, Friday’s preseason finale offered a sneak peek of what awaits the Warriors in the games that count. Though Green wasn’t booed during pregame introductions, many on social media commented about where he sat on the bench ( at the end!) and whom he embraced before tipoff ( Poole was among them!).

The stakes should only heighten Tuesday, when the Warriors will hold a ring ceremony prior to their opener against the Lakers. Many people at Chase Center and in their living rooms will watch to see just how genuine a potential hug between Green and Poole seemed.

“Draymond has been playing this game for a high level for a really long time,” Kerr said. “He knows what’s up, and he’s ready to roll again.”

The Warriors are well-aware of the scrutiny they’re under. One awkward interaction between Green and any teammate, and the alarmists will surface: Has Green completely alienated himself in the locker room? Are Golden State’s title chances already quashed?

This leaves the team to navigate a delicate situation: act normal when things are far from normal. The Warriors can only hope that the public’s obsession with this storyline will eventually wane.

A preseason exhibition is one thing; 82 regular-season games is another deal entirely.

“Ring night and time will heal all wounds,” Thompson said. “I love both of those guys. Jordan is like a little brother. Draymond is like a brother.

“I think we’re all ready to move past it, and I think the encore to last year is going to be even better.”