In a tumultuous game against the Phoenix Suns, Draymond Green found himself at the center of controversy once again, as he was ejected for delivering a flagrant blow to Jusuf Nurkic’s head. The incident occurred in the third quarter when Green and Nurkic were battling for position during an inbounds play. As Nurkic held Green’s body to prevent him from breaking open to receive a pass, Green responded with a wild swing of his right arm, making direct contact with Nurkic’s face.
Nurkic, who managed to continue playing after the incident, expressed concern for Green, stating:
“What’s going on with him? I don’t know. Personally, I feel like that brother needed help. I’m glad he not try to choke me.”
“At the same time, it ain’t nothing to do with basketball. I’m just out there trying to play basketball. He’s out there swinging. I think we saw that often. I hope whatever he’s got in his life, it gets better.”
The officials assessed Green with a flagrant foul 2, leading to his automatic ejection from the game. The NBA’s vice president of referee operations, Kane Fitzgerald, explained the decision on the TNT broadcast, emphasizing the unnecessary and excessive nature of the contact.
The NBA league office may take further action against Green, considering his recent track record of unsportsmanlike incidents. This season alone, Green has faced multiple ejections and a five-game suspension for putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
This marks Green’s third ejection this season, adding to the challenges faced by the Golden State Warriors, who currently sit at 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 10 wins and 13 losses. Green’s absence in crucial moments continues to impact the team’s performance on the court.
Draymond Green Has Let The Warriors Down Again
Draymond Green’s return from a recent five-game suspension for his involvement in an altercation with Rudy Gobert was supposed to mark a turning point. Acknowledging that he had let his team down, Green expressed his determination to avoid such situations in the future and pledged to contribute positively on the court to help the Golden State Warriors secure victories.
However, Green’s actions have failed to align with his words, and once again, he finds himself in the midst of controversy. Following his ejection in a game against the Phoenix Suns for delivering a flagrant blow to Jusuf Nurkic’s head, Green is set to miss additional time due to a suspension. This impending suspension, reminiscent of Ja Morant’s situation, could be significant, potentially sidelining Green for an extended period.
The league’s response to incidents like these has become increasingly stringent, evident in Morant’s hefty 25-game suspension after an initial seven-game suspension. Green’s repeated involvement in unsportsmanlike incidents and his failure to uphold his commitment to staying on the floor for his team raise questions about his ability to contribute positively and lead by example.
Despite Green’s defensive prowess and leadership role, his frequent ejections and suspensions hinder the Warriors’ progress, leaving them without a key player in critical moments. As the team strives for consistency and success in a competitive Western Conference, Green’s unrestrained behavior poses a significant challenge.
The Warriors organization and fans may feel increasingly frustrated as Green’s actions jeopardize the team’s competitiveness and undermine the collective efforts to secure victories. With an imminent suspension looming, Green must reflect on his on-court conduct and work towards fulfilling his commitment to being a reliable and disciplined asset for the Warriors.
