Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected against the Phoenix Suns after hitting Jusuf Nurkic in the face. Green has now been ejected three times this season. After the Warriors-Suns game, Green talked to NBA reporters about what happened.
“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. “I sell calls with my arms … so I was selling the call … and I swung and unfortunately I hit him.”
The Warriors lost to the Suns to drop to 10-13 on the season. Green will have to await a league review for the possibility of another suspension. He was suspended five games earlier in the season for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns Updates
“Like I said, if I intended to do that, then I would feel awful about not being there,” Green said. “But my intentions were just to sell the foul. You guys have known me long enough, if I intended to do something, I am not apologizing. But I did make contact with him, so I do apologize. … It’s a hard hit.”
Green is averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.7 blocks on the season for the Warriors while shooting 49.0% from the field, 42.9% from beyond the arc and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Green has “got to find a way to keep his poise and be out there for his teammates.” Green, a four-time champion, accepted Kerr’s message.
“We need him. We need Draymond. He knows that,” Kerr said. “We’ve talked to him. He’s got to find a way to keep his poise and be out there for his teammates.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Warriors signed Green to a four-year, $100 million contract in July.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
