Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was suspended indefinitely by the NBA on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), less than 24 hours after he hit Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face and received a Flagrant 2 foul and ejection.
The league said the penalty handed down by operations chief Joe Dumars begins immediately. This is already Green's second suspension this season.
"He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play," the league said.
The NBA noted that "this outcome takes into account Green's repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts."
The Warriors didn't have a statement Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) but said Green's suspension would be addressed at shootaround Thursday (Friday) in Los Angeles ahead of a game against the Clippers.
Green's History of Unsportsmanlike Conduct
The 33-year-old Green, part of four Warriors championships, was ejected for the 18th time in his career — most among active NBA players.
As the Warriors were inbounding the ball near their own bench early in the third quarter in a 119-116 loss at Phoenix, Green and Nurkic were fighting for position near the baseline corner and the two tangled. Green appeared to slip slightly then pivoted around right into Nurkic with his right arm connecting with the big man's face.
Nurkic fell to the ground instantly and stayed down briefly before getting up to remain in the game.
Green was suspended five games by the NBA for putting Minnesota's Rudy Gobert into a headlock during an altercation in November.
Last season during training camp, Green took a leave of absence from the 2022 NBA champions in what coach Steve Kerr called a "mutual decision" after the star forward violently punched then-teammate Jordan Poole in the face. Neither player was injured.
Last spring, Green was suspended for a Game 3 playoff win against the Sacramento Kings after stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis during a Game 2 defeat. The Warriors became the first defending champion to rally from an 0-2 deficit to win a playoff series.
Uncertain Future for Green and the Warriors
Green's latest suspension leaves the Warriors in a difficult position. The team is already struggling without Stephen Curry, who is out with a shoulder injury, and Klay Thompson, who is on a minutes restriction. Green's absence will further hurt the Warriors' chances of making a playoff run.
It remains to be seen when or if Green will be reinstated. The NBA has not given any timetable for his return, and it is possible that he could miss the rest of the season.
Green's suspension is also a blow to his own reputation. He has been one of the NBA's most controversial players in recent years, and this latest incident is sure to raise further questions about his temper and ability to control himself on the court.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Draymond Green. But one thing is for sure: his latest suspension is a major setback for both him and the Golden State Warriors.
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