On Tuesday, a fracas broke out early in a contest between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, and during the incident, Draymond Green put Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
Green was ejected as a result, and on Wednesday, the NBA responded by suspending him for five games.
The NBA is suspending Golden State’s Draymond Green for five games, source tells ESPN. Significant hit for the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/QlexGdXNUd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 16, 2023
If five games seems like a harsh sentence for merely putting an opposing player in a headlock, the league said it levied a five-game sentence because of all the past antics Green has gotten involved in.
In a statement, the NBA says, “The length of the suspension is based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 16, 2023
As a matter of fact, plenty of fans feel Green should’ve been given an even heavier sentence.
Considering his history it should be more, no?
— ✭ Jazz ✭ (@jazzlynn626) November 16, 2023
So suspend him for longer then 😭
— ClutchMcGee (@RealClutchMcGee) November 16, 2023
So i’m not seeing an entire season, but five games seems insufficient. I think it should’ve been 10 to 15.
— LT 🏀⛳️ 💰 (@ltsisk) November 16, 2023
THE WHOLE SEASON WOULDVE BEEN BETTER
— . 👑 (@feellikebron23) November 16, 2023
If this was a rookie he’d be out the league
— PlaybyPlayBark (@playbyplaybark) November 16, 2023
Just months ago, Green stomped on Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis during a playoff game and was ejected, then suspended for one game.
Perhaps his most noteworthy incident came in Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals when he appeared to hit LeBron James in the groin and was suspended for Game 5 as a result.
James’ Cleveland Cavaliers easily won Game 5 as a result, and it proved to be the impetus behind them overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to win their first-ever world championship.
Green is a truly unique player, and he is the heart and soul of the Warriors’ dynasty, but these periodic incidents have hurt the team because of the ejections and suspensions that have resulted.
The team is already without Stephen Curry, who is out with a knee ailment, and given that the team is on a four-game losing streak, Green’s latest act of indiscretion has come at a bad time.
NEXT:
Rich Eisen Shares His Thoughts On Latest Draymond Green Incident
