Draymond Green’s night against the Phoenix Suns was cut short after a shove, some shouting, and two quick technical fouls.
The Golden State Warriors forward’s frustration boiled over, reigniting the ongoing debate about how the NBA handles emotion and consistency.
The Warriors were already tense after a recent hit on Stephen Curry, and that feeling carried over into Saturday’s game.
Photo by Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Draymond Green gets ejected in the second quarter
Midway through the second quarter, Green got tangled up with Suns guard Collin Gillespie after blocking his shot.
A few moments later, as Curry hit a transition three, Green collided with Gillespie on his way back up the floor, earning an immediate technical for the contact, according to the game report.
TV replays showed Green arguing that Gillespie had stopped short in his path, but officials saw it differently.
His reaction, a mix of shouting and gesturing, earned him a second technical within seconds. It was his first ejection of the season and the 21st of his career.
As security led him off the court, Green’s exit highlighted his ongoing issues with referees. For the Warriors, it was familiar territory; emotion spilling over into real consequences.
Steve Kerr’s reaction to Draymond Green’s ejection
After the game, head coach Steve Kerr called the decision “weak,” suggesting Green’s second technical was more about how he reacted than what he actually did.
He pointed to a recent incident when Dillon Brooks hit Curry in the stomach and wasn’t ejected, highlighting what he sees as inconsistent officiating.
The Warriors were down by nine when Green was ejected but responded impressively. Curry’s shooting and strong play from the bench helped them rally for a 119–116 win.
Several players later said the ejection “woke them up,” showing that Green’s intensity still matters, even when it crosses the line.
Green isn’t likely to change the way he plays, but his ejection once again raised the question for the Warriors: Where should the line be drawn between passion and punishment, especially when games get heated?