Arguably the biggest storyline in the NBA right now is the status of Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green. Green had another on-court incident this week, making contact with Phoenix Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic in the face, prompting his third ejection of the season.
He received a Flagrant-2 foul, which is an automatic ejection. After the game he apologized to Nurkic, saying he attempts to sell calls with his arms and inadvertently hit him in the face. However, given his track record, Green is getting zero benefit of the doubt.
Nurkic had some words about the incident after the game, saying, “What’s going on with him, I don’t know. Personally, I feel like that brother needs help. I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns Updates
"Personally, I feel like that brother needs help."
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 13, 2023
Jusuf Nurkic responded after taking a punch from Draymond Green.
(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/OEv8eqUpxo
It was certainly a bizarre scene, as Green looks to have some idea of what he is doing. This isn’t the first time this season he has gone over the top when involved in an incident on the court, as he was suspended five games a few weeks ago after putting Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves in a chokehold.
That altercation resulted in a five-game suspension for Green. This time, his suspension will last a lot longer than that. He has been suspended indefinitely by the league and will have to meet certain NBA and Warriors conditions before he can return to the court. What those conditions are has not been made public, but it will take some time.
Kevin Durant, a former teammate of Green’s on the Warriors, offered up some words as well. He got brutally honest about the situation following the Suns’ 116-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns Updates
“That was insane to see. Never seen that… in an NBA game. He hasn’t been that way when I was around or coming into the league so I hope he gets the help he needs,” Durant said in response to the indefinite suspension for Green.
"I hope he gets the help he needs."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 14, 2023
Kevin Durant on Draymond Green, who received indefinite suspension from #NBA for hitting Jusuf Nurkic in Tuesday win over Warriors.
"That was insane to see. Glad Nurk is alright. Never seen that on the basketball court in an NBA game." #Suns pic.twitter.com/TnXwIcMgNx
Whatever it is that Green needs to work through, hopefully, he can find some answers and receive the aid required. As Durant stated, he has not been himself recently and these actions are not only costing him but also his team as the Warriors will be without one of their key players for the foreseeable future.
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