Draymond Green claims he didn’t know STOMPING on opponent’s chest could lead to suspension

Draymond Green claims he didn’t know STOMPING on opponent’s chest could lead to suspension

Draymond Green (Credits: NBA)

On Thursday, defending champions Golden State Warriors secured a much-needed 114-97 win in Game 3 of their playoff series against the Sacramento Kings. They played without their star forward, Draymond Green, who was suspended for stomping on Kings center Domantas Sabonis’ chest in Game 2. But that did not affect the Warriors, who continued to thrive at the Chase Center, improving to 32-10 for the campaign, including the regular season. Stephen Curry led the way with 36 points, positioning his team to level the series on Sunday.

Green’s suspension had fans, analysts, and players divided. Some felt the league’s decision to suspend the Warriors forward was excessive. The NBA wrote in their statement that the “suspension was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.”

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Green shared his opinion about the suspension and the NBA’s reasoning on the Draymond Green Show. He said, “I never knew you could be suspended for a flagrant 2 that happened 7 years ago. And I also didn’t know you’d get suspended for interacting with the crowd that’s flipping you double birds and yelling your name and chants that you suck and like, you interact with them, I didn’t know that either.“

The flagrant 2 foul Green alluded to happened in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. The Warriors forward kicked then-Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams in the groin and was ejected from the game.

Green picked up another flagrant foul in Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, his fourth of that season, and was suspended for one game. In his 11-year career, the Warriors forward has picked up six flagrant fouls in the playoffs.

Related: Doc Rivers defends Draymond Green’s kick, claims Domantas Sabonis DESERVED punishment

Draymond Green will be back on Sunday

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Draymond Green (AP)

With Game 4 scheduled for Sunday, Green will be back in the lineup as the Warriors try to even out the series. Regardless of his actions, Green plays a vital role in the Warriors’ offense. Despite his absence, the team managed to pull a big win in Game 3, but Green’s presence will be crucial for the Warriors.

This is the first time after years that the Warriors have struggled in the first round. A defeat on Sunday will give the Kings a chance to end the series in Sacramento in Game 5. The Warriors will then have to win three straight, including two away from home, to move into the second round of the playoffs.

Game 4 is undoubtedly their biggest game of the season. The Warriors will not only need Green to step up and contain the Kings’ offense, but they will also want him to stay on his best behavior and be available for the remainder of the series.

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