Warriors PF Draymond Green suspended indefinitely by NBA after punching Suns C Jusuf Nurkic in the face
The NBA has indefinitely suspended Golden State Warriors (10-13) power forward Draymond Green, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Green, 33, received the indefinite suspension after punching Phoenix Suns (13-10) center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during Tuesday’s game at Footprint Center. Green received a flagrant 2 foul for hitting Nurkic and was subsequently ejected for the third time this season.
“This outcome takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts,” the NBA said in a statement. “… Green’s suspension will begin immediately. He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play.”
Per Wojnarowski’s report, Green, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Green’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, are expected to meet Thursday to start discussing a path of counseling and help for Green to move forward.
Green served a five-game suspension earlier this season for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock on Nov. 14. The league cited Green’s history as a repeat offender for the length of the suspension. He was ejected from a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers three days earlier after picking up two technical fouls.
Draymond Green issues apology to Jusuf Nurkic
His latest ejection came with 8:23 remaining in the third quarter, when Green turned and struck Nurkic in the face with his right hand. Officials deemed the foul a flagrant 2 after video review. Speaking with the media after the game, Green apologized to Nurkic, saying he didn’t mean to hit him.
“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, via Kendra Andrews of ESPN. “I sell calls with my arms … so I was selling the call … and I swung and unfortunately I hit him.”
Green, in his 12th season with the Warriors, has appeared in 15 games this season. He has posted averages of 9.7 points, 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game on 49% from the field. His indefinite absence comes at a time where the Warriors are struggling, sitting 11th in the Western Conference.
“We need him. We need Draymond. He knows that,” head coach coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday. “We’ve talked to him. He’s got to find a way to keep his poise and be out there for his teammates.”
Green faces a fine of $153,941 per game if his suspension lasts less than 20 games, per Bobby Marks of ESPN. If his suspension goes over 20 games, he will face a fine of $202,922 per game.