NBA divided as Draymond Green ejected for stomping rival

The NBA world has been split over who was to blame for an incredible scene that saw Draymond Green ejected for stomping on a rival.

What were either of them thinking?!? Photo: Twitter

The Sacramento Kings are two wins away from its first NBA conference semi-finals run since 2003-04 after a 114-106 win over the Golden State Warriors.

But while the Kings went 2-0 in the series, it was overshadowed by the Warriors’ Draymond Green being ejected for stomping on rival Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter.

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It was an ugly incident that left the NBA divided as some fans slammed Green’s act, while others took aim at Sabonis, who appeared to flop to the ground and then grab the Warriors star’s ankle.

Post-match, both men didn’t necessarily want to be drawn into the controversy.

“That’s playoff basketball,” Sabonis said post-game when asked about the incident with Green.

“Look at the fans, this is it. We’re here to fight. Every time we step on the floor we’re going to give everything for our teammates and the franchise.

“We’re both fighting for the rebound and both fouled each other. Stuff happens, it’s basketball. We’ve got to move on.”

Green pinned the blame on Sabonis.

“My leg got grabbed [for] the second time in two nights,” he said.

“The referees just watch it. I’ve got to land my foot somewhere. I’m not the most flexible person so it’s not stretching that far. I can only step so far when pulling my leg away, so it is what it is.

“The explanation was I stomped too hard. I wasn’t surprised he stayed down that long. It was Monk last time, right under the baseline under the rim.

“Either you’re going to stop it, John Goble was looking at Monk holding my leg the last game and just let it go and Zach (Zarba) clearly was watching my leg get held this game and let it go. I guess ankle grabbing is OK.”

The jump may not have helped Draymond. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Green also hyped up the crowd while waiting for the call to come through after the unsavoury incident, with Sacramaneto fans yelling derogatory chants at Green.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sabonis went to get an X-ray on his ribs and lungs after the win but that the scans came back negative.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr said he didn’t see the play and was working out what was next after the officials said Green may be ejected, but Kings coach Mike Brown had no doubt it was worth a flagrant-2 foul.

ESPN reported Stephen Holder wrote: “Sabonis was wrong for grabbing Draymond but I can’t defend this s**t. That was absolutely dirty by Draymond. There is no place for that.

“Get him out of there. No sympathy for him whatsoever.”

Sport Illustrated’s Chris Mannix tweeted: “You just can’t throw Draymond out for that. None of it happens if Sabonis doesn’t grab Green’s leg. Flagrant one, tech, whatever. But you can’t toss him from a game like this over a play like that.”

Psst, he stomped on your chest, not your face. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Former NBA champion for the San Antonio Spurs Francisco Elson posted: “It’s uncalled for Green should notify the ref by making some gesture, like all players do, scream, flops, fall but not stomp him on the chest. This is a vintage Draymond Green action.”

Another NBA champion, Festus Ezeli from the 2015 Warriors, added: “Everyone talking about Draymond’s “stomp” but why would you grab another person’s foot as he was about to run.”

Draymond's out. Can't do that man. Cannot freaking do that, I don't care how bad that was by Sabonis

— Golden State of Mind (@unstoppablebaby) April 18, 2023

NBC Sports California had different camera locations than TNT. Looks like Sabonis was guarding his face from the feet all around him more than trying to grab Draymond’s leg. https://t.co/n0m5ZlJa12

— Bob Adlhoch (@badlhoch) April 18, 2023

Stomping on his chest from Draymond is crazy but I’m not letting Sabonis slide for his role in this

— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) April 18, 2023

The match came after De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis led the Sacramento scoring with 24 points apiece.

Steph Curry led the Warriors scoring with 28 points while Andrew Wiggins finished with 22 and Klay Thompson 21.

However the Warriors were left ruing a litany of 20 turnovers that gave up cheap points to Sacramento, who led from early in the second quarter.

Golden State clawed their way back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to tie it at 93-93 midway through the fourth.

But Sacramento responded to pull clear down the stretch and close out a gutsy win.

“We didn’t play well enough to win a playoff game on the road,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “With that said, it was a tie game with a few minutes left.

“We know we have to play better, and we will play better. These guys are champions. The way our guys fought showed what they’re made of.”

With AFP