Already trailing 2-0 to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the playoffs, the Golden State Warriors were dealt another blow on Tuesday night.
Heading back to San Francisco for the first playoff game since the NBA Finals last year, the Warriors will be missing a key piece in their starting lineup on Thursday night at Chase Center.
On Tuesday, the league issued a one-game suspension to Draymond Green for stopping on the chest area of Sacramento center Damontas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Monday evening.
In a release from the league, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operation Joe Dumars stated the suspension for Game 3 was based in part on the former All-Star forward’s “history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
Via @NBAPR on Twitter:
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/KEnWx2qTvs
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2023
With seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 2, Green and Sabonis got tangled up while the teams were in transition. While on the ground, Sabonis appeared to grab Green’s ankle, causing the Warriors forward to respond by stepping on his chest.
After review, the officials ejected Green with a flagrant two-foul and assessed Sabonis with a technical foul of his own.
Green finished the game with eight points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal in 31 minutes against the Kings.
Following the news of Green’s suspension breaking across the internet, the NBA community on Twitter erupted with a wave of must-see reactions. Here’s a look at what fans. analysts and players were saying on Tuesday night.
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A suspension is crazy . 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/8aNWJvarKT
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 19, 2023
🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/NKjd10Y9Fj
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 19, 2023
So Draymond got tossed out of the last 7 minutes of a close game, is suspended for the next one and is 2 Flagrant points away from another playoff suspension. That is a lot of multiple jeopardy there.
I'd say this about any player on any team in this situation.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 19, 2023
Two things are true:
-Absolutely ridiculous
-Draymond’s failure to control his emotions inexcusably cost his team at an extremely crucial time, yet again https://t.co/x4zTenEu9P— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) April 19, 2023
No conspiracy theory: The league isn't trying to make the Warriors lose. I think the top execs at the league are just really upset with Draymond. And some of this I can understand. But to affect a playoff series like this? Seems extra.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 19, 2023
Draymond Green was wrong to stomp on Sabonis and he needs to stop the antics, but it is wild to me Draymond got the same punishment as Dillon Brooks for breaking Gary Payton II’s elbow in the Western semis, forcing him to miss a month. #dubnation
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) April 19, 2023
Joe Dumars, the NBA’s lead decision maker and who announced Draymond Green’s suspension, recently worked in the Sacramento Kings front office 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NOgguH6MFe
— Guru (@DrGuru_) April 19, 2023
Since Draymond Green made his NBA debut in 2012
Warriors' winning percentage with Draymond: 67.4% (511-247)
Warriors' winning percentage without Draymond: 51.3% (60-57)— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) April 19, 2023
You're right, Dillon Brooks breaking GP2's elbow is just as bad as Draymond's "stomp." Wow, you got me there. https://t.co/YkoORK656l
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) April 18, 2023
draymond is draymond, i’ll take the antics cause his defense is one in a million
he shouldn’t have been suspended, that simple
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) April 19, 2023
Charles Barkley on the Draymond situation:
"What really bothers me about this whole thing, to be honest with you, we're taking away from the fact that the Sacramento Kings are just kicking their ass."
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 19, 2023
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