Warriors respond to Draymond Green’s suspension for Game 3 vs. Kings
Draymond Green was suspended for Warriors-Kings Game 3 on Thursday for
stomping on Domantas Sabonis and subsequently engaging with fans
>SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 17: Draymond Green (right) #23 of the
Golden State Warriors reacts after he got tangled with Domantas Sabonis
#10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half during Game Two of the
Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17,
2023 in Sacramento, California. Green was issued a flagrant foul 2 on
the play, and ejected from the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly
acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this
photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty
Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By MADELINE KENNEY | mkenney@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2023 at 2:07 p.m. | UPDATED: April 19, 2023 at 4:10
p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/04/19/warriors-respond-to-draymond-greens-suspension-for-game-3-vs-kings/

SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors general manager Bob Myers said the team didn’t
want to dwell on Draymond Green’s suspension and instead stressed the
important of putting the team’s focus and energy on the upcoming pivotal
Game 3.

Myers said the team has “enough to win” even without Green, who was
handed a one-game suspension for stomping on a Kings player and
subsequently arousing the crowd.

Myers said the league didn’t inform him of Green’s suspension until last
night.

“In their defense, what do they care what I have to say?” Myers said.
“They know what I have to say. They don’t need me to make a decision.”

Asked whether he thinks it’s fair, Myers said, “It doesn’t matter.”

“I spoke to Draymond last night about it, told him that when he shows up
today, it’s got to be about the team and helping them win,” Myers said.
“It’s not about whehter you should or shouldn’t have been suspended,
that doesn’t help anyone.”

Green stomped and yelled his way to a one-game suspension, which he’ll
serve Thursday when the Warriors host the Sacramento Kings for Game 3 of
the first-round series.

The news of the suspension came as a surprise to many, partly because it
came at 11:42 p.m. Eastern Time, and also because Green had already
missed the final seven minutes of Monday night’s loss after his
ejection. Several NBA players and analysts took issue with the punishment.

In a statement released Tuesday night, the NBA said its decision to
suspend Green was based in part on the Warriors star’s “history of
unsportsmanlike acts.”

Speaking on NBA Today on Wednesday, NBA executive vice president Joe
Dumars said it’s a “possibility” that the outcome “could’ve been
different” if the player involved wasn’t Green.

Green and Sabonis got tangled up as Stephen Curry grabbed a rebound and
pushed the ball up the floor. Sabonis fell to the floor and pulled on
Green’s leg, then the Warriors star stepped down on Sebonis’ chest as he
tried to break free from his grasp.

The impact left Sabonis wincing in pain as he lay on the court for
several minutes with team trainers hovering over him. Meanwhile, as
officials deliberated the call, the home crowd jeered and chanted at
Green, prompting Green to walk up to his team’s bench and encourage them
to get louder.

Green received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game.
Meanwhile, Sabonis, who remained in the game, was assessed a technical
foul for grabbing Green’s foot.

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X-rays on Sabonis’ chest came back negative, but he is questionable for
Thursday’s game with a sternum bruise.

Green’s punishment could prove to be catastrophic to the Warriors, who
are down 2-0 in the series. Green’s playmaking on offense and his strong
defensive presence are vital to Golden State’s success.

The Warriors have lost the only playoff game Green missed in his career.
Green was suspended for Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the
Cleveland Cavaliers after an incident involving LeBron James.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

--
Madeline Kenney | Warriors reporter
Madeline Kenney is the Bay Area News Group's Golden State Warriors beat
reporter for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. A Nebraska native, she
is graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. She holds a Bachelor in
Communication degree, with a major in broadcast journalism and minors in
sports management and marketing, and is a friend of Sister Jean, the
103-year-old nun who became famous during the Ramblers’ 2018 run to the
Final Four, Madeline previously worked for the Chicago Sun-Times
covering everything from sports to crime and politics. When she’s not
working, she enjoys trying new restaurants and exploring the great outdoors.