Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was ejected from Monday night’s Game 2 against the Sacramento Kings after he appeared to stomp on the chest of Domantas Sabonis during the fourth quarter.
In a viral clip, Sabonis can be seen trying to go for the offensive rebound on a missed shot but hit the floor near Green’s feet. In a close-up, Sabonis appeared to grab Green’s right leg as the forward was trying to move up the floor. Green attempted to break free once he realized he was being held.
However, when Green looked down to see what Sabonis was doing, he used then his right foot to step on the chest of Sabonis. As a result of the stomp, the Kings player was left writhing in pain. Meanwhile, officials gave Green a Flagrant II foul which meant he would be ejected from the game.
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“My leg got grabbed, second time in two nights,” Green said. “Referees just watch it. I gotta land my foot somewhere, and I’m not the most flexible person so it’s not stretching that far. I can only step so far and pulling my leg away, so it is what it is.”
“The explanation [from the officials for the ejection] was I stomped too hard.”
Despite whatever animosity may exist between the two players, Sabonis said during his post-game interview on the court that he had no hard feelings toward Green:
“It’s playoff basketball,” Sabonis said. “Look at the fans, this is it. We’re here to fight. Every time we step on the floor we’re gonna give everything for our teammates and the franchise. We’re both fighting for the rebound. We fell on each other, stuff happens, it’s basketball, we gotta move on, next play.”
The entire sequence between Domantas Sabonis and Draymond Green from my point of view of the stomp to the abdomen of Domas, leading up to Green's ejection. As well as Green taunting Golden 1 Center. pic.twitter.com/aMHqEmcVNK
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) April 18, 2023
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr added: “I didn’t see the play live, and then I didn’t see the replay. I asked [referee] Zach Zarba, he told me. I was busy with getting the team ready. One of the coaches told me he might get ejected, so I was trying to prepare for what was next.”
Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal reacted to the play and actually came to the defense of the Golden State Warriors star. O’Neal said on the postgame show later Tuesday night that he would’ve done the same thing.
“I’d do the same thing. I really would. Don’t be grabbing me,” the former Los Angeles Lakers champion said. “What am I gonna do? Like, if I stay there and just try to run forward, I’ll fall. You gotta get him up off you. And if you get him up off you and you in the way, you might get stomped on. Was it a dirty play? Of course, it was a dirty play. … If you don’t grab me, this won’t happen.”
“Why don’t you lay on the floor and I’ll see if I can stomp on you?” 🤣💀@SHAQ & Chuck on Draymond's ejection pic.twitter.com/LDI9WGUT3D
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 18, 2023