Draymond Green EJECTED less than four minutes into Golden State Warriors’ 101-93 win over the Orlando Magic – and a day after grabbing an opponent by the NECK

Draymond Green was ejected in the first quarter of the Golden State Warriors game against Orlando Magic, but Golden State was able to hold on for a 101-93 victory.

Green argued with the officials, first when he was called for a personal foul and then when Stephen Curry was called for a shooting foul.

Green appeared to yell at Ray Acosta for calling Curry, prompting Acosta to draw the first technical foul and he followed with a second as Green continued.

The clock had 8:24 left in the first quarter when Green’s night ended.

After the game, guard Stephen Curry – who managed a double-double – reflected on his teammate’s actions.

But Andrew Wiggins (L) and Stephen Curry (R) fought on to give the Warriors a win

‘We need him. He knows that. We all know that,” Curry said of Green. “So whatever we have to do to keep him on the floor and available, that’s what has to be done. Especially at this point in the year. It was a tough way to start the game.”

The victory despite Green’s early departure comes at a crucial point when the Warriors – who had won an NBA title just two years ago – are just one game on the safe side of the playoff line.

That incident led to a number of emotions pouring out of Curry, who was seen hunched over while wiping his face on his jersey.

“We know how important this part of the season is to our ability to get into a rhythm and secure a play-in opportunity,” Curry said, reflecting on his thoughts at the time.

‘We don’t want to inflict wounds on ourselves. We all care. We are all passionate about the game and our chances of having something to play for later. You give everything you have to this game. That’s the emotion.’

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called the incident “unfortunate” but said his player “deserved” the removal.

It comes a day after Green appeared to grab Miami Heat guard Patty Mills by the neck and drag him down – and three months after he returned from an indefinite ban for punching the Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic in the face.

It came a day after Green Heatguard was seen dragging Patty Mills down by the neck

This is Green’s third exclusion of the season. The most recent came in December when he punched Suns C Jusuf Nurkic in the face, leading to a 12-match suspension.

Previously, Green was sent off and suspended for five games because of this stranglehold on Rudy Gobert

In last night’s game between the Warriors and the Heat, Green was seen wrestling with Mills under the basket.

While attempting to enter the track, Green kept his hand on Mills’ chest and dragged him down by the neck as he passed.

Officials reviewed the play and deemed it an ordinary foul, rather than a flagrant foul that could have gotten him kicked out of the game.

It’s been a long season for Green, who has already received multiple suspensions for his aggressive behavior on the field.

Green was suspended for 12 games after hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face in December 2023.

That came nearly a month after Green was suspended for five games after putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a chokehold.

Throughout his entire NBA career, Green was ejected 21 times – the second most in NBA history.

The only other player with more suspensions than Green is Rasheed Wallace, who was sent off 29 times in his career.