The NBA has suspended Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green for five games without pay for “escalating an on-court altercation” in a November 14 contest with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Green was suspended for “forcibly grabbing” Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert around the neck “in an unsportsmanlike and dangerous manner,” NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars said in a statement.
Dumars said Green’s history of unsportsmanlike conduct played a role in the length of the suspension.
Green will miss two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder in addition to matchups with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. The four-time champion will lose $769,970.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Updates
The 33-year-old Green is averaging 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists on the season for the Warriors while shooting 48.2% from the field, 45.0% from beyond the arc and 88.9% from the free-throw line.
Gobert ripped Green for putting him in a headlock. The Timberwolves big man knew Green would try to get ejected since Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry was out.
“It’s kind of funny because before the game, I was telling myself that Steph is not playing, so I know Draymond is going to try and get ejected,” Gobert said. “Because every time Steph doesn’t play, (Draymond) doesn’t want to play — it’s his guy Steph. He’ll do anything he can to get ejected.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Updates
“Clown behavior and I’m proud of myself for being the bigger man again and again. And yeah, (he) doesn’t even deserve me putting my hands on him. My team needed me tonight. I did whatever I could to keep my cool and then show that I wasn’t making the situation worse, and I do hope that the league is going to do what needs to be done because that’s just clown behavior.”
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