Draymond Green was ejected during the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night after a physical confrontation in the third quarter.
As Phoenix center Khaman Maluach tried to establish position in the paint, Green went down. He got back up as Maluach took the ball and attempted a layup, then wrapped his arms around the 7-foot-1 center’s waist and pulled him to the floor.
Suns guard Dillon Brooks stepped in and put a hand on Green, apparently trying to move him away from Maluach. Green grabbed Brooks’ jersey and had to be guided back toward the sideline. Officials assessed Green two technical fouls, resulting in his first ejection of the season.
The Warriors trailed 67-57 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter but rallied to win, 116-113.
Brooks said he was trying to calm the situation. “I was just trying to de-escalate the whole thing,” he said. “He did a lot there, fell down, and pushed him at the end of it. I was just trying to de-escalate it. He was just tweaking all game. So let it be.”
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski said the incident helped spark the team. Golden State, he said, had been missing its edge early, but the confrontation prompted players to lock in and rally around Green.
Maluach played down the clash, describing it as part of the game. “Nothing against Draymond,” he said. “He’s just playing basketball out there.”
Green has accumulated 179 technical fouls and 23 ejections over his NBA career. He has received three technicals in the Warriors’ first eight games this season.
