Golden State Warriors centre Draymond Green ejected after ‘terrible’ implosion

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was ejected following an ugly implosion in the dying moments of Sunday’s NBA game.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.

Golden State Warriors centre Draymond Green has come under fire following an ugly implosion in the dying moments of Sunday’s NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets.

Leading by two points with 13.3 seconds on the clock, the Warriors were in a position to clinch a rare victory without superstar player Steph Curry.

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Following a jump-ball at centre court, Green grappled with rival Gordon Hayward in the hope of forcing another jump-ball.

However, the referees adjudicated Charlotte head coach James Borrego had called a time-out before Green had gained shared control of the ball.

Draymond Green wrestling with Gordon Hayward.

The 30-year-old unleashed a foul-mouthed dummy spit after the decision, taking aim at opposing players and the officials.

Green was subsequently given two technical fouls and ejected from the game.

Hornets star Terry Rozier sunk both technical free throws before scoring another two-pointer before the buzzer to snare a 102-110 victory.

“Draymond can’t do that,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the defeat. “He knows that. He made a terrible mistake.”

“(Green) crossed the line, that’s the main thing. We love his passion and his energy and we would not be the team we are without him. But that doesn’t give him license to cross that line — and he knows that.”

Bad officiating at the end of the game. Bad inability to call timeout with the ball. Bad lack of composure from Draymond Green. Bad bad bad loss.

— Grant Liffmann (@GrantLiffmann) February 21, 2021

What an absolutely insane final 10 seconds in Charlotte. Draymond Green gets ejected, Charlotte hits two technical free throws to tie it, and then Terry Rozier hits a jumper at the buzzer to win it. Wow. What a gut punch loss for Golden State.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 21, 2021

Warriors teammate Eric Paschall said: “He said it was his fault. He took ownership, as he always does as a leader. We’re still rocking with Dray, no matter what.

“Great dude. Competitor. S**t happens in the NBA.”

Green is a three-time NBA Champion and three-time All-Star, crowned NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.

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The Hornets hadn’t played since Valentine’s Day after two NBA games were postponed because of COVID-19 measures.

Rozier shot eight-for-11 on three-pointers and finished with his fourth consecutive 30-point outing.

P.J. Washington scored 15 points and Miles Bridges had 10 for the Hornets, who shot 20-for-40 on threes and outscored the Warriors 60-39 from three-point range.

Kelly Oubre had 25 points to pace the Warriors, who lost their second consecutive game.

Andrew Wiggins had 19 points, Eric Paschall 16, and Damion Lee tallied 14 for Golden State.

Curry was on the floor for the warm-up but returned to the dressing room shortly before the tip off. The Warriors said the league’s third-leading scorer wasn’t feeling well.

Golden States will next face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday AEDT.

— with AFP

Originally published as Golden State Warriors centre Draymond Green ejected after ‘terrible’ implosion