Draymond Green was ejected for taking matters into his own hands — well, weapons — on Tuesday.
Golden State Warriors big man, teammate Klay Thompson and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels were ejected from an NBA in-season tournament game following a brawl that broke out in the first two minutes.
The fight began when Thompson and McDaniels took turns pulling and shoving each other. Wolves center Rudy Gobert moved to pull Thompson back, but was caught by Green, who put the 7-footer in a headlock and violently dragged him for seven seconds.
Both Thompson and McDaniels were assessed double technicals, while Green was hit with a flagrant 2 fouls, all automatic ejections. The score is still 0-0.
That won’t be the end of the consequences for Green, who could face suspension in the coming days. He gives no further thought to the idea that he is trying to keep the peace:
An understated moment in that clip is Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns trying to give Green a taste of his own medicine while pulling Gobert and not buying it as Green keeps his chin down like a veteran MMA fighter.
It was the 18th shutout of Green’s career, including the postseason, increasing his lead among active NBA players. He got his 17th eviction last weekend, but under very questionable circumstances.
Meanwhile, Thompson disagrees with his own dismissal:
The Timberwolves won 104-101 to improve to 2-0 in the West Group C in-season standings. The Warriors are 1-1.
After the game is over, The group’s president, Tyler Ford, told a pool reporter Green was rated a stark 2 because “he aggressively headbutts Gobert and refuses to let go. It’s unnecessary and excessive behavior.” Gobert was not disciplined because he “tried to divide Thompson and McDaniels, and he was ruled a peacemaker.”
Meanwhile, both teams had plenty to say postgame about the altercation with McDaniels. “Trying to defend myself” and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says Gobert had his hands around Thompson’s neck, which prompted Greene’s response. Kerr defended Thompson, saying he should not have been fired.
Gobert called Greene’s behavior “clown behavior.”
Several times Rudy Gobert referred to Draymond Green’s “clown behavior”. He put his hands up and said he wanted to stay calm, not react, because he knew the Wolves had to stay in the game. He said he thought Draymond would do something with Steph
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) November 15, 2023
The Warriors already started the game without Stephen Curry, who was sidelined with a sore right knee. In the space of 10 seconds, they lost the other two members of their long-standing trio with at least 46 minutes left to play.
There is some past history between Green and Gobert, though it’s impossible to say if anything was on Green’s mind Tuesday. At the start of last season, Gobert sported a more subtle tattoo, the latter reportedly punching then-teammate Jordan Poole in practice.Insecurity is always loud.”
Green saw it clearly and remembered it six months later. He tweeted the same four words In reaction to Gobert punching a teammate.
