Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green was ejected from the team’s Game 2 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Playoffs Monday night.
Green’s ejection came in the fourth quarter after he got tangled up with Kings star Domantas Sabonis. The latter held on to Green’s foot before Golden State’s enigmatic forward stomped on Sabonis.
It was an ugly end to the night for Green as he waved his hands and held his hand to his ear while heading to the locker room. At that point, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the four-time NBA champion would be suspended.
Not so fast.
Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that Green is unlikely to be suspended for Golden State’s must-win home date in Game 3 against Sacramento Thursday night.
There are a lot of different layers to this. Green indicated after the game that he was simply looking to get his footing. However, replays of the incident seem to tell a different story.
Following the Kings’ 114-106 win, Sabonis got X-rays done on his ribs and lungs. They turned out negative, which could have played a role in the NBA opting not to suspend Draymond Green.
Also playing a role here is the Sabonis’ own actions. He grabbed Green’s ankle he was attempting to move up the court. While Green got a flagrant 2 and was ejected, Sabonis also picked up a technical. Warriors players talked about Sabonis’ actions after the game and were not too pleased.
Draymond Green to be available for Game 3
Green’s antics aside, his availability for Game 3 is ambig win for the Warriors, who find themselves in a 2-0 hole for the time since this dynastic run. A loss to Sacramento at home Thursday night would put another title in doubt.
Golden State found itself down 91-87 at the time of Green’s ejection with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Kings would go on to score 23 points from that point on, winning going away. Obviously, Green’s impact is felt up and down the court. That was a primary example.