Golden State Warriors lost to the Phoenix Suns with a scoreline of 119-116. It was again a battle between Steph Curry and the rest of the Suns as Curry’s teammates failed to come through. While Klay Thompson struggled to make plays, veteran power forward Draymond Green made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Green, who recently made a comeback after serving a five-game suspension, defied coach Steve Kerr’s order to tone down his aggression. The forward’s unruly behavior was again on full display as the former got ejected for the third time this year, with the season not even at his halfway stage. Amid concerns of another suspension, Green and Jusuf Nurkic explained their sides.
Draymond Green Apologises To Jusuf Nurkic After Hitting Him On The Head During Warriors Vs. Suns Game!
The recently concluded game between Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns will be remembered for everything except basketball. Warriors’ veteran forward Draymond Green was ejected after a scuffle broke out between him and Suns Jusuf Nurkic. As Nurkic tried to guard Green during the third quarter, the latter turned and hit the former on the head out of nowhere. The impact was so hard that the Suns’ player fell on the court immediately. Later, the referees ejected Green and categorized the foul as flagrant two after review. Green became the player with the most ejections this season as the league reviews the possibility of another suspension. To those unversed, the veteran earlier faced a five-game suspension for choking Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert.
However, Draymond Green pleaded innocence, saying he didn’t intend to hit Jusuf Nurkic. “I am not one to apologize for things I mean to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf because I didn’t intend to hit him,” Green said after the game. He further added that he was trying to dodge Jusuf, and his arm unfortunately hit his face. Obviously, the hit was hard, but Green again reiterated that he didn’t do anything intentionally. Having said that, a suspension could be on its way already, considering how Draymond has been a repeat offender of NBA policies. If so happens, the Warriors’ crisis will further deepen. Steve Kerr also expressed his disappointment, saying the team needs Green and he must find a way to keep his poise and be there for his teammates.
“Brother Need Help,” Jusuf Nurkic Reacts On Draymond Green’s Punch!
While Warriors veteran Draymond Green claimed innocence, Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic, who endured the forward’s wrath, wasn’t buying a word. He says the attack was uncalled for, and Green needs help. Jusuf also took a dig at the forward’s past, stating that he is lucky the latter didn’t try to choke him. “It had nothing to do with basketball. Hopefully, whatever he got in his life, it gets better,” said Nurkic.
Furthermore, Suns coach Frank Vogel also condemned the incident. He said the play was reckless and dangerous. He is sensitive towards his players and urges the league to do better. Frank wants the NBA to be a safe space for the ballers. And Draymond Green’s current unruly demeanor isn’t the right way forward for the NBA. “The refs did what they had to do, and the league will do what they have to do,” Vogel said.