Referee Gediminas Petraitis and Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.Photo: AP Photo/Randall Benton
Draymond Green is facing a crucial one-game suspensionafter stepping on an opponent.
The controversial basketball star, who has played a key role in the Golden State Warriors' four recent NBA Championships, will now sit out Thursday night’s Game 3 against the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings hold a 2-0 lead in their seven-game series against the defending NBA Champions.
This marks the fourth suspension in Green’s career, during which he’s earned the reputation as an instigator on-and-off the court.
“The suspension was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts,” the NBA said in astatementlate Tuesday night. The league added that Green won’t receive pay during his suspension.
Draymond Green and Domantas Sabonis.Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle vía AP
Domantas Sabonis.Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
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The incident occurred with about seven minutes left in Monday night’s Game 2. Green and Kings forward Domantas Sabonis got tangled up after a rebound, and Sabonis then grabbed Green’s ankle. Green then stomped his foot down on Sabonis, who screamed out in pain while writhing on the floor.
The NBA said Green’s stomp was “in response” to Sabonis actions, and pointed out both players were penalized during the game. Green was ejected, while Sabonis received a technical foul.
Draymond Green.AP Photo/Randall Benton
After the game, Green told reporters he “can only step so far” as Sabonis was holding his leg.
Sabonis told reporters after the game he had no animosity towards Green over the incident, according toFox News.
source: people.com
