The NBA decided to suspend Draymond Green for one game without pay by the NBA after he stomped on Domantas Sabonis’ chest during Monday’s Golden State Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA announced the decision in a Tuesday statement from executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, who wrote that the ban “was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.” So Green will miss Game 3 on Thursday.
I LITERALLY JUST NOTICED THIS:
So as Draymond is trying to get his foot loose from Sabonis, Sabonis literally turns on his back as he steps down. If Sabonis had remained on his side, Draymond would’ve completely missed him. That was a split second thing.pic.twitter.com/gaxbMeTR4b
— вяуαηт (@bryant_gotgame) April 18, 2023
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The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/KEnWx2qTvs
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2023
The incident took place late in Game 2 that Sacramento won, 114-106 to take a 2-0 series lead. Sabonis fell to the floor during a fight for a rebound on a Kings shot. Golden State’s Stephen Curry secured the rebound and led the Warriors offense to the other side of the court. Green was standing next to Sabonis during the change of possession, and Sabonis grabbed hold of Green’s right ankle. Green pulled his foot away from Sabonis’ grasp, then stomped on his chest before starting to run down the court.
Draymond Green is known for his intense competitive spirit and fiery personality on the basketball court, which can sometimes lead to displays of anger or frustration. This has resulted in a number of incidents over the course of his career, including multiple ejections from games and a few instances of on-court altercations with other players.
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While some have criticized Green’s behavior as unsportsmanlike or disruptive, others argue that his intensity and emotional engagement with the game are important aspects of his success as a player. Green himself has acknowledged that his emotions can sometimes get the better of him on the court, but has also emphasized the importance of channeling that passion in a positive way to benefit his team.
Despite some occasional displays of anger, it’s worth noting that Draymond Green is widely respected by teammates, coaches, and opponents for his basketball IQ, defensive prowess, and leadership skills. His contributions to the Golden State Warriors’ success over the years have been significant, and his competitiveness and intensity are often cited as key factors in his team’s achievements.
Despite his high intensity on the court Green has been a key player for the Warriors and has been instrumental in the team’s success over the years. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team five times and has also been named to the All-NBA Team three times. He was also a key player on the Warriors teams that won NBA championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018.