Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is set to serve a one-game suspension for stomping on Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis earlier this week.
Draymond Green ejected after stomping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest pic.twitter.com/kukzFRLq7s
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) April 18, 2023
While plenty of people were expecting that outcome to take place, it appears as though the Warriors weren’t. NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that the NBA was actually leaning toward fining Green and not suspending him.
“The league actually from what I was told was leaning most of the day toward not suspending him… [The Warriors] were stunned last night when around midnight eastern time it came out that Draymond Green was going to be suspended for one game” – @ShamsCharania #RunItBack pic.twitter.com/AZRqwGX0Ts
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) April 19, 2023
Game 3 is set to take place on Thursday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Kings currently hold a solid 2-0 lead in the series, though they might have a tough time playing in front of a raucous Warriors fan base. Sacramento lost both of its road matchups against the Warriors during the regular season.
Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president, explained why the league decided to suspend Green, even with Game 3 essentially being a do-or-die contest for Golden State.
Dumars to ESPN on weighing the circumstances of the Warriors down 2-0 to the Kings in the series: “You know what the situation is, but you have to set that aside and look at the facts in front of you…Repeat offender weighs as heavy as anything.” https://t.co/8pueVedwyb
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 19, 2023
Shortly after news of Green’s suspension broke, it was announced by the Kings that Sabonis suffered a sternum contusion from Green’s stomp. The All-Star big man is now questionable for Thursday’s matchup.
Since the incident took place, plenty of people have been criticizing Green, saying that his actions were excessive and unnecessary. Over the years, the veteran has earned a reputation as a player who sometimes crosses the line, and it seems like it’s going to be hard for him to shake that image.
Tensions will certainly be high on Thursday night during Game 3, but they will undoubtedly be even higher during Game 4 of the series when Green is eligible to return from his suspension.
Plenty of eyes will be on Green and Sabonis, with fans surely paying attention to what goes on between the two over the remainder of the series.
The result of Thursday’s contest could make Game 4 all the more intense. Golden State desperately needs a win in Game 3 if it wants any real shot of coming back in the series. The Warriors are down 2-0 for the first time in the Stephen Curry era.
Only time will tell if they can dig themselves out of the deep hole they’re currently in.
