Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was ejected in the third quarter of Tuesday's 119-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Green appeared to be battling Suns big man Youssef Nurkic for an inside spot in the bottom corner, and he turned around and pinned Nurkic in the face with a wild right arm. Nurkic fell to the ground and lasted about a minute.
Draymond Green was ejected for the third time this season after hitting Youssef Nurkic in the face.
Officials stopped the competition for censorship, but it didn't take long. Green was ejected without even raising objections. He ran straight to the locker room. The NBA is expected to assess the situation in the next 24 hours and possibly suspend Green again.
As you know, I don't apologize for what I wanted to do, but I do apologize to Yusuf. Because I didn't want to hit him," Green said. "I was just trying to make a foul with my arm. ”
Keep in mind that in November, Green just choked Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert "in an unsportsmanlike and dangerous way," leading to a five-game ban from the league.
Green has been ejected three times this season and suspended for five more games after Gobert suffocated. He also missed the first two games of the season with an ankle sprain and another night due to personal problems.
As a result, Green has already been out of 11 of the first 23 games either completely absent or ejected when the game portion has not yet been determined. His absence is another blow to the Warriors, who have been in poor form recently and would have needed to find their winning rhythm, but Green's absence interrupted the process.
According to the NBA's final ruling, Green could face at least another five-game suspension. As a result, the Warriors will once again have an extended period without their best defensive players and key playmakers.
Green's absence is not good for the Warriors, but it will mean more playing time for Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. The Warriors are facing a crossroads at the heart of their championship as this team has not performed as well as expected in the game. Young players, including rookie Blandin Pozjemski, have been putting pressure on head coach Steve Kerr to get them on the pitch through their performances. Kerr even moved Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Rooney to the bench at the start of Tuesday's second half.
Without Green, the reassignment time would have taken about 30 minutes. It could also be good news for the third big man on the list, Tress Jackson-Davis.