NBA makes big decision on Draymond Green’s suspension
May 18, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) before game one of the 2022 western conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA is going into largely uncharted waters to address Draymond Green’s latest violent outburst.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Wednesday that the NBA has decided to suspend the Golden State Warriors star Green indefinitely. The move comes the night after Green struck Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head during a game (video here).
Shams Charania of The Athletic adds that Green is expected to receive counseling and to work with both the Warriors and the NBA. Green will reportedly have to meet certain criteria before being allowed to return.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports also says that Green will be allowed to continue practicing with the team while serving his ban.
This is now the second suspension for Green within Golden State’s first 25 games. He was banned for five games last month after an in-game choking incident on Minnesota Timberwolves big Rudy Gobert. The NBA reportedly considered Green’s history as a repeat offender in handing down that suspension, and they are now delivering an even harsher punishment.
Indefinite susensions are very rare in the NBA. The closest parallel was probably Kyrie Irving’s suspension last season for sharing a link on social media to an anti-semitic film. Irving was originally suspended for at least five games and ended up serving eight games as he met certain criteria for a return to play (though that punishment was imposed by Irving’s then-team, the Brooklyn Nets).
Green’s situation is a bit different since his indefinite suspension stems from multiple violent incidents on the court over the years. Regardless however, it would be a surprise if Green returned to play for the Warriors at any point in this calendar year.
