Author: Monojit Mandal
In a high-voltage game that saw Warriors star Draymond Green ejected, the Sacramento Kings took a 2-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors. The Kings won 114-106 on their home court, the Golden 1 Center.
Green was ejected with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Kings leading 91-88. Green stepped on Sabonis’ chest as he tried to pass over the Kings player who had fallen to the ground after a fight for the ball. The manoeuvre caught the attention of the referees, who assessed Green with a technical foul before revisiting the play and upgrading it to a Flagrant 2, which resulted in his sending off. Green finished the game with 8 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Sabonis received a technical foul for grabbing Green’s leg.
Green’s expulsion provoked a reaction from the crowd, who booed him and shouted“Draymond stinks“. As he headed for the dressing room, Green cupped his hand to his ear and shouted back to the spectators.
The Warriors are in unfamiliar territory, losing the series 2-0. This is the first time they have lost a playoff series 2-0 since the We Believe Warriors faced the Utah Jazz in 2007.
Sabonis did not speak to the media after the game, but sources indicate that he was later evaluated with an X-ray of his ribs and lungs.
Remember that a player’s points total is not reset after a ban. If they commit another offence, they will receive extra points and be suspended for two matches. Green was notoriously punished during the 2016 NBA Finals for committing a flagrant 1 foul after a fight with LeBron James. He was immediately banned from Game 5 due to his previous flagrant fouls throughout the tournament.
The dismissal of Green, a vital player for the Warriors, could influence the team’s performance in upcoming matches. To turn the series around, the Warriors will need to regroup and create a new approach. Meanwhile, the Kings will try to take advantage of their lead and keep up their excellent play.