Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected early in the second half of Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns after a series of on-court altercations. The ejection followed two technical fouls, including one described by referees as a 'throwdown' of Suns center Khaman Maluach to the floor.
Green’s ejection occurred in the third quarter after he wrapped his arms around Maluach during a layup attempt and threw him to the ground, drawing a technical foul. Suns forward Dillon Brooks then rushed over and placed his hand on Green, prompting Green to grab Brooks by the jersey near his neck. Officials intervened to separate the players, and Green was assessed a second technical foul, resulting in his ejection.
The Warriors, trailing by 10 points with 10 minutes left in the third quarter, responded by outscoring the Suns 42-36 in the period to take control of the game. Golden State maintained their lead in the fourth quarter and secured a 116-113 victory.
Stephen Curry, who led the Warriors with 34 points, acknowledged Green’s impact on the team’s intensity. 'We know what he brings, and he lit a fire underneath us to respond,' Curry said. 'Once he goes out, it’s on us to pick up the slack, play competitive basketball, that same toughness.' Curry credited multiple teammates, including Charles Bassey, De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Will Richard, for stepping up in Green’s absence.
Dillon Brooks stated he was attempting to de-escalate the situation. 'I was just trying to deescalate the whole thing,' Brooks said. 'He did a lot there, fell down, and pushed him at the end of it. I was just trying to deescalate it. He was just tweaking all game.'
Brandon Podziemski, a Warriors guard, described the incident as a turning point for the team. 'We didn’t have that edge to us to start the game,' Podziemski said. 'Found it a little bit in the second quarter and then they came out in the third quarter pretty well and then that kind of changed the game for us. Everybody locked in.'
The NBA has not issued additional statements regarding potential further disciplinary action as of the time of this report.