Trailing 2-0 in their first-round series, the Golden State Warriors were already fighting an uphill battle against the Sacramento Kings. On Tuesday night, the hill got even steeper. The Warriors will be without Draymond Green in Game 3.
Green was ejected from Monday night’s Game 2 following an incident with Sacramento’s Domontas Sabonis.
On Wednesday night, the NBA announced that Green would be suspended for Game 3.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/KEnWx2qTvs
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2023
Green is one of the most outspoken and therefore, most polarizing players in the NBA. The reaction to his suspension reflected that.
For some fans, it was well-earned. Others felt that since Green only kicked Sabonis because Sabonis was holding onto his ankle that the suspension was unwarranted.
A tad unexpected tbh
— Basketball Jones (@ASportsJones) April 19, 2023
Draymond suspended… as he should be https://t.co/93vM4KepYz
— John Karalis 🇬🇷🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) April 19, 2023
Stunning news from the NBA. Draymond's history of unsportsmanlike acts cited as a reason for the suspension. Announced from Joe Dumars, a teammate of some of the dirtiest players of all time #irony https://t.co/FiSyNdB7wl
— Dan Dibley (@dandibley) April 19, 2023
I put the blame mostly on Draymond, but suspension on top of the ejection feels like a lot. https://t.co/LhBmXXv9tT
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) April 19, 2023
👀🔥
Draymond keeps killing the Warriors this year. This is what happens when you act like a punk and stomp on player’s chest and have a history of this behavior. When Golden State loses to the Kings, that’s it for Green in Golden State. https://t.co/7ekJbrSor9
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) April 19, 2023
Only 1 game is ridiculous. Should be the rest of the series. https://t.co/PnANb4jEWG
— Shiloh (Luna) 💕 👻✨ Marion Hawthorne liker (@shiloh_luna_ott) April 19, 2023
Really surprised the league decided to suspend Green with the defending champs down 2-0 in the series. Green trying to incite the crowd in Sacramento during the replay review of the incident probably didn’t help his cause. https://t.co/nv1DHtzTiJ
— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) April 19, 2023
The ol’ late night news drop
Thought league would consider Green being ejected for crunch time of close game penalty enough, particularly since Sabonis initiated the incident
Not justifying Green’s reaction, but he already drew ejection for that. Color me mildly surprised https://t.co/vnUqhqavWY
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 19, 2023
absolutely amazing news drop by the NBA right in the middle of the Suns/Clippers climax. god tier PR work. https://t.co/CeHMUyReo1
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 19, 2023
Golden State needs to win both Games 3 and 4 at home to have a realistic chance of coming back against the Kings. Overcoming a 3-1 deficit is hard enough. With Games 5 and 7 both being on the road, it would be even more challenging for the Warriors.
While Sacramento won both of the first two games, the series has largely been competitive. The Kings won 126-123 in Game 1 and 114-106 in Game 2. So, Golden State can play with Sacramento. And at home, there’s plenty of reason to believe that those close games can go the other way. but winning without Green will be a significant obstacle.
