Green’s Apology and Explanation
Warriors star Draymond Green found himself in hot water once again after being called for a flagrant foul 2 during a game. This marked his third ejection of the 2023 NBA season. Green, however, immediately expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to his opponent, Jusuf Nurkic.
In his post-game interview, Green admitted, “I was trying to sell the call. He was pulling my hip, and I was swinging away to exaggerate the contact. Unfortunately, I made contact with him. While I typically don’t apologize for my intentions, I want to extend an apology to Jusuf because I didn’t intend to hit him.”
Nurkic’s Reaction
Jusuf Nurkic, on the other hand, had a different perspective on the incident. Expressing concern for Green’s behavior, Nurkic stated, “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. That had nothing to do with basketball. I’m just out there trying to play.”
Nurkic’s reference to a previous incident involving Green and Rudy Gobert highlighted the growing concern about Green’s on-court conduct.
Reckless and Dangerous Play
The flagrant foul 2 by Green drew criticism from various quarters, including Suns coach Frank Vogel. Vogel described the play as “reckless and dangerous” and expressed concern for the safety of his own players. He acknowledged the referees’ decision to eject Green and expressed confidence that the league would take appropriate action.
Warriors’ Struggles Continue
The Warriors’ loss to a Suns team missing key players further compounded their ongoing struggles. With a record of 10-13 on the season, Golden State has now lost 11 of their last 15 games. This defeat adds to the mounting pressure on the team to find a way to turn their season around.
Contributors: Ryan Gaydos from Fox News and The Associated Press