Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors reacts after being ejected for a flagrant foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on Dec. 12, 2023 in Phoenix.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The league said the penalty handed down by operations chief Joe Dumars begins immediately. This is already Green’s second suspension this season; the four-time All-Star was suspended five games by the NBA for putting Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert into a headlock during an altercation in November.
“He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play,” the league said.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The NBA noted that “this outcome takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
The Warriors didn’t have a statement Wednesday but said Green’s suspension would be addressed at shootaround Thursday in Los Angeles ahead of a game against the Clippers.
The 33-year-old gave a mea culpa following Tuesday’s game.
“He was pulling my hip and I was swinging away to sell the call,” Green explained. “I made contact with him. As you know, I’m not one to apologize for things I meant to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf, because I didn’t intend to hit him.”
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Green’s 18th ejection, the most among active players, was another bewildering moment for the veteran forward.
“We need him, we need Draymond,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He knows that, we’ve talked to him. He’s got to find a way to keep his poise and be out there for his teammates.”
Green’s outburst seemingly came out of nowhere. He and Nurkic were battling for position early in the third when the two got a little tangled. Green appeared to slightly lose his balance, but then inexplicably wheeled around and smacked Nurkic in the face with his right hand.
“What’s going on him, I don’t know,” Nurkic said. “Personally, I feel like that brother needs help. I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me… That had nothing to do with basketball. I’m just out there trying to play basketball.”
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Nurkic immediately crumpled to the ground after the hit but eventually got up and stayed in the game. The referees reviewed the play before calling Green for a flagrant-2 foul, which causes an automatic ejection.
“It just looked like a reckless, dangerous play,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “I’m sensitive to our guys getting hit on plays like that. I didn’t like it. The refs did what they had to do. The league will do what they have to do.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This developing story has been updated.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad