Featured Image Credit: @BleacherReport/Twitter.
Topics: NBA, US Sports, Basketball
Jayden Collins
Draymond Green has gone nuclear on NBA referees after being ejected during a dramatic moment in the NBA playoff series against Sacramento.
There were seven minutes left in the fourth quarter when Domantas Sabonis and Green contested for a ball.
The Kings star fell to the ground as Golden State’s power forward attempted to make his way back up the court in a quick counter.
Instead of joining Steph Curry, who had secured the rebound and was pushing the ball up the court, Green found himself tangled up with Sabonis.
The Sacramento player had grabbed the big-man’s ankle in an attempt to stop him from making his way to the other hoop.
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In retaliation Green STOMPED on his rival, pretty damn hard as well, as he cleared himself from the tussle.
The play was later reviewed by officials as Sabonis was called for a flagrant-1 foul.
But Green copped the brunt of the decision as he was called for a flagrant-2 foul which subsequently saw the Warriors star rejected.
The 33-year-old was quite animated coming off the court shouting toward the Sacramento crowd as he exited.
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The Kings would go on to win the game 114-106 to go 2-0 up in the series - Sabonis dunked the final bucket of the night.
Unsurprisingly, Green was not pleased after the game - giving officials a piece of his mind while speaking to reporters.
He said: “My leg got grabbed [for] the second time in two nights.
“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.
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“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.”
Unfortunately for Green, many online agreed that the stomp was a ‘dirty’ play.
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The Athletic reporter 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.”
One fan said: “Draymond’s out. Can’t do that man. Cannot freaking do that, I don’t care how bad that was by Sabonis.”
Another commented: “Draymond Green a dirty ass player man… how tf you stomp on a player chest like that.”
Sabonis reportedly was later taken for X-rays on his ribs and lungs.