Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has begun counseling and is expected to be sidelined for at least the next three weeks due to suspension, league sources said.
Green has been banned indefinitely by the NBA for punching Phoenix Suns center Youssef Nurkic in the face during a game. Joe Dumas, the NBA's executive vice president and head of basketball operations, said in a statement that Green's "repeated unsportsmanlike behavior" was a factor in the decision.
Green, 33, is expected to receive counseling and work with the Warriors and the NBA during the suspension. Green and those around the team have stated that the four-time NBA champion has understood and is ready to accept the procedures required to return to the team in full capacity. Out of respect for Green's privacy, these sources will not disclose the specifics of Green's consultation.
The three-week period means his suspension is about 12 games.
Green's ejection against the Suns was the 20th time in his career — which occurred in the third quarter of the Warriors-Suns game on Tuesday. Green appeared to be battling Nurkic for position near the bottom corner, and he turned around and pinned Nurkic to the face with a wild right arm. Nurkic fell and lay down for about a minute.
After the game, Green apologized to Nurkic. He said it was unintentional and that he tried to create a foul by waving his arms.
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 used my arms to make fouls. ”
Green's suspension is the sixth of his NBA career and his second of the season. Green was suspended for five games in the league last November for his involvement in an altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves when Green knocked Rudy Gobert to the head. He was suspended alone twice last season, once for accumulating 16 technical fouls and the second time for stomping Sacramento Kings power forward Domantas Sabonis in the playoffs.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he thinks an indefinite suspension would make sense for Green and could help the 12-year veteran make changes.
For me, it's not just basketball. It's to help Draymond," Cole said. "I think it's an opportunity for Draymond to leave and change his approach and his life, but it's not going to be easy. It's not like you say, 'Okay, play five games and then he'll be fine.'" ’”
Since Green's ejection, the Warriors (12-14) have a 2-1 record. During his previous five-game ban, the team had a 2-3 record.