UPDATE (April 18, 2023 @ 11:38 p.m. EST): The NBA has formally announced its decision to suspend Draymond Green for Game Three of the Warriors-Kings first-round playoff series.
Original (April 18, 2023 @ 4:55 p.m. EST): It does not appear that the Golden State Warriors will be shorthanded when they return to Oracle Arena later this week to play the Sacramento Kings. According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic, it is “unlikely” that the NBA will suspend Warriors Forward Draymond Green for his actions during Monday night’s game against the Kings.
“It is looking unlikely Warriors forward Draymond Green will be suspended for Game 3 vs. Kings after stepping on Domantas Sabonis when Sabonis grabbed his leg on Monday night,” Charania tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
“Those around the situation expect a fine for Green, but that he will be available for Game 3 given the ejection, Flagrant Foul 2 and circumstances around the incident with Sabonis.”
With just over seven minutes left in Monday night’s playoff game between the Kings and Warriors, Malik Monk drove to the basket and attempted a floater. As the ball bounced off of the rim of the basket, Klay Thompson and Damontas Sabonis jockeyed for position as they looked to get the rebound. Ultimately, Steph Curry got the rebound, Thompson ran back to the other end of the court and Sabonis fell to the ground. As he fell to the ground, Sabonis’ arms wrapped around Green’s leg. As Green attempted to run back down the court, his leg became entangled in Sabonis’ arms. Breaking free from Sabonis’ arms, Green ended up stomping on Sabonis’ torso. In response, Sabonis rolled around the court as he appeared to be in pain. After assessing the situation, the officials ejected Green.
“When I fell, I was protecting myself, and then the incident happened…There is no room for that in our game today,” Sabonis said after the game.
“My leg got grabbed — the second time in two nights — and the referee is just watching. I got to 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 with someone pulling my leg away,” Green said during a separate post-game presser.
The Sacramento Kings ended up beating the Golden State Warriors by a score of 114-106. With a 2-0 lead, the Kings will head to the Bay Area for Game Three on Friday, April 21.
