Draymond Green Ejected in Warriors’ Win Over Suns
SAN FRANCISCO — In a dramatic turn of events, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected early in the second quarter of Saturday night’s 119-116 win over the Phoenix Suns. The ejection came after Green received back-to-back technical fouls for a shove of Suns guard Collin Gillespie and an extended argument about the initial call afterward. This incident has sparked a heated debate about the consistency of refereeing in the NBA, with many questioning the decision to eject Green while allowing a similar incident involving Dillon Brooks to go unpunished.
The incident began when Green blocked Gillespie’s shot with 10:45 left in the quarter, and the two exchanged words on the way up the court. Right as Stephen Curry made a transition 3 at the 10:39 mark, Green barreled into Gillespie, drawing the initial technical call from nearby official Pat Fraher. Upset at the whistle, Green turned his ire toward Fraher and mimicked the technical call, earning him a second technical foul and an ejection from the game. According to NBA rules, a player can be ejected from a game if they receive two technical fouls.
Coach Steve Kerr Weighs In
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed his disagreement with the ejection, stating that while Green deserved one technical foul, the second one was unnecessary. Kerr drew comparisons to a recent incident involving Dillon Brooks, who swung and punched Curry in the stomach during a game, but was not ejected. Kerr argued that the lack of consistency in refereeing is a concern, citing Brooks’ history of dirty plays, including a flagrant foul that broke Gary Payton II’s elbow in the playoffs. The NBA’s Last Two Minute Reports provide a detailed analysis of referee decisions in the final two minutes of close games, but do not address the issue of consistency in refereeing throughout the game.
The Warriors reached out to the league between games, believing that Brooks should be fined or suspended for his actions. However, Brooks was not punished, sparking criticism from Kerr and others about the league’s handling of the situation. The NBA Rulebook outlines the rules and penalties for player conduct, but the application of these rules can be inconsistent. As Kerr noted, “It’s bizarre to me that, first of all, ejected from that game and then suspended or fined. Nothing? Nothing? So apparently, you are now allowed — this is my take — you are allowed to premeditate a punch of any shooter who is left defenseless, you can now take a swing at him and just get a flagrant one.”
Impact on the Game
Despite being down nine when Green was ejected, the Warriors came back to beat the Suns with a strong second half. Curry said the Green ejection “woke” the team up, and the win snapped a three-game losing streak, giving some temporary reprieve to the struggling Warriors. The ejection was Green’s first this season, but the 21st regular-season disqualification of his career. According to Basketball-Reference, Green has been ejected from 21 regular-season games, the most in his career.
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about player conduct, refereeing, and the consistency of rule enforcement in the NBA. As the league continues to evolve, it is essential to address these issues to ensure a fair and safe playing environment for all players. The NBA’s Player Conduct policy outlines the expectations for player behavior, but more needs to be done to address the inconsistencies in refereeing and rule enforcement.
