Draymond Green of Golden State was given an unpaid one-game suspension by the NBA for “standing on Sacramento Kings centre Domantas Sabonis’ chest, “NBA Executive Vice President and Director of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars made the announcement late on Tuesday.
The league added that the ban “was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike actions.”
Green won’t play in Game 3 on Thursday against Sacramento (10 p.m. ET, TNT).
In the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Monday, with 7:03 remaining and the Kings leading 91-87, Green stepped on Sabonis’ chest after Sacramento’s Malik Monk missed a shot. As Green attempted to retaliate by running up the court, Sabonis grabbed his right leg. Green launched his foot into Sabonis’ chest as he freed himself.
Green was given a flagrant foul two by the officials, which resulted in his immediate dismissal. A technical foul was assessed to Sabonis.
After their 114-106 victory over the Warriors, the Kings moved ahead 2-0 in their Western Conference first-round series.
Green has received disciplinary action from the league before during the playoffs. Most notably, Green was given a flagrant foul two in Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals against Cleveland during an altercation with LeBron James. Due to Green’s Game 5 suspension, the Cavaliers were able to even the series at three games each and go on to win the championship.
He stated, “My leg got grabbed, second time in two nights.” “Referees merely observe it. I have to put my foot down someplace, and since I’m not the most flexible, it won’t go very far. It is what it is since I can only move so far before having to pull my leg back.
“I stomped too hard,” the referee said in explanation.
Sabonis added his thoughts on the stomp as well: “I stumbled while attempting to defend myself, and the incident certainly followed. That doesn’t seem to fit into our game now, in my opinion.”
The Kings reported on Tuesday that X-rays and a medical examination confirmed Sabonis had a “sternum contusion.” He was listed as “questionable” for Game 3 by the team.
