In a night of frustration for the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green was ejected once again, marking his 18th ejection, the most among active players in the NBA. The incident occurred during the team’s 119-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Green’s ejection might lead to further discipline from the league, given his history of unsportsmanlike conduct, including a recent five-game suspension for an altercation with Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert in November.
The Warriors, once a dominant franchise with four titles in the past decade, are currently struggling with a 10-13 record this season, and Green’s volatile behavior is not helping their cause. Coach Steve Kerr expressed the team’s need for Green, emphasizing that he must find a way to maintain his composure and be there for his teammates.
The ejection occurred in the third quarter when Green and Jusuf Nurkic were battling for position. In a surprising turn of events, Green lost his balance and unexpectedly struck Nurkic in the face with his right hand. The referees reviewed the play and assessed Green with a Flagrant 2 foul, leading to his automatic ejection.
Nurkic, the recipient of the blow, expressed concern for Green, suggesting that he may need help. Despite being hit, Nurkic managed to stay in the game after briefly crumpling to the ground.
Suns coach Frank Vogel commented on the incident, describing it as a reckless and dangerous play. He expressed his sensitivity to the safety of his players and supported the referees’ decision to eject Green. Vogel acknowledged that the league would need to take appropriate action.
In addition to Green’s ejection, the Warriors faced internal frustrations during the game. Coach Kerr decided to bench five-time All-Star Klay Thompson, who had a challenging night, scoring seven points on 2-of-10 shooting in 27 minutes. Thompson voiced his frustration after the game, acknowledging his competitiveness and taking responsibility for his performance.
The Warriors, once a proud and successful franchise, are currently navigating a challenging period. With key players facing discipline and internal tensions, the team is striving to find its footing in the highly competitive NBA.
As the league assesses the consequences of Draymond Green’s latest ejection and the Warriors search for solutions to their struggles, fans are left wondering about the future of this iconic franchise in the 2023 season.
