Shortly after Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks was ejected in the first quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday for a hard foul that caused an injury to Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II, tensions continued to escalate between the two teams.
Shortly after Brooks and Payton II exited the game, Draymond Green caught an inadvertent elbow to the face from Memphis forward Xavier Tillman. Green spent some time on the ground before leaving to the locker room to clean up his bloodied and swollen eye.
Via @bball_craze on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/bball_craze/status/1521668945773793282?s=20&t=iN7b32C2dqR0n9UyJqpkng
On his way off the floor, Green flipped off the Memphis crowd as boos reigned down.
Green will now pay the price for his middle finger gesture to fans at FedEx Forum. On Thursday, the league announced Green would be fine $25,000 for flipping off the Memphis crowd.
Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1522287720906768385?s=20&t=iN7b32C2dqR0n9UyJqpkng
During the postgame press conference on Tuesday night, Green didn’t hold back when asked about his gesture to the crowd.
You’re going to boo somebody who got elbowed in the eye, face running down with blood, you should get flipped off. So, I’ll take the fine and go do an appearance and make up the money. It felt really good to flip them off. You’re going to boo someone who got elbowed and has blood running down their face? I could’ve had a concussion or anything. So, if they’re going to be that nasty, I can be nasty too. I’m assuming the cheers was because they know I’m going to get fined. Great, I made $25 million a year, I should be just fine.
Via @NBCSWarriors on Twitter:
Draymond on his exchange with Grizzlies fans:
“You’re going to boo somebody who got elbowed in the eye … you should get flipped off” pic.twitter.com/CsCJ2t6t8G
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 4, 2022
Along with the physical back and forth battle between Memphis and Golden State, the series is now knotted at 1-1. Game 3 is set to take place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. PT in the Bay Area.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!