- The Warriors expect to be without Draymond Green for quite some time
- Green has already been suspended for the second time this season
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
After a violent incident Tuesday night, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green had the proverbial hammer dropped on him by the league.
Green punched Phoenix Suns forward Jusuf Nurkic in the face during a game and late Wednesday the league announced he would be suspended indefinitely, effective immediately.
According to the league office, Green “will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before returning to play.”
Earlier in the day, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said there wasn't much clarity on the length of an expected suspension, but now they have their answer.
As Wojnarowski explained on NBA Today, before anyone knew how long he would be out: “He is coming off a recent five-game suspension. The question for the league is: do they compare what happened last night against Phoenix…to the act with Rudy Gobert? Or are they just looking at another repeat violation.
The Golden State Warriors will likely be without Draymond Green for quite some time
Green, 23, was sent off on Tuesday after punching Jusuf Nurkic in the face, knocking him down
“And that's a big part of how the league determines penalties: It's repeat violations.
“Draymond Green is certainly leading the league in that, leading this era in that, and I think the Warriors are certainly bracing themselves for the fact that they're going to be without (him) again and certainly maybe for an extended period of time. period – now twice in a very short period.'
Coach Kerr said Tuesday night after the eviction, “We need Draymond. He knows that. We talked to him.
“He has to find a way to keep his balance and be ready for his teammates.”
Asked what could be done to improve Green's discipline, Kerr added: “We will continue to work.”
When questioning whether or not he will become a hindrance, he said, “Draymond is still a great player. He is still a very good player and we need him.
“If we want to be a really good team, we need him.”
Green tried to sell the story that he “wasn't going to hit him,” adding, “I sell calls with my arms, so I only sold the call because he grabbed me and pulled my hip.”
Green was handed a five-match suspension for putting Rudy Gobert in a chokehold last month
It will be the second time this season that Green has been suspended after putting Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert in a chokehold during a game. He sat out five games after the league discovered he had committed multiple violations.
Green was also suspended twice in the previous season, including during the play-offs.
There, he stomped on Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis during a first-round playoff game.
Last year, Green was also suspended after a physical altercation with then-teammate Jordan Poole.