Warriors’ Green assessed Flagrant 1 foul, suspended for Game 5

Published 12:26 pm Sunday, June 12, 2016

OAKLAND, Calif. — Warriors forward Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5 of the NBA Finals — a potential championship-clinching contest — after the league retroactively assessed him a flagrant foul for swiping his hand to the groin of LeBron James.

The league reviewed the contact Green made in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers and deemed it “unnecessary” and “retaliatory,” leading to the Flagrant Foul 1.

“There’s no way you can say this is an acceptable act,” NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe told The Associated Press.

“You have to do what you think is right for the play,” VanDeWeghe said, “and unfortunately Draymond put himself in this position.”

Green was automatically suspended for one game because he accumulated four flagrant foul points over the course of the playoffs. He had retroactively been assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 for kicking Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams in the groin and a Flagrant Foul 1 for taking down Houston’s Michael Beasley.

“The cumulative points system is designed to deter flagrant fouls in our game,” VanDeWeghe said in a statement. “While Draymond Green’s actions in Game 4 do not merit a suspension as a standalone act, the number of flagrant points he has earned triggers a suspension for Game 5.”

Green did not address the media after practice, but his team spoke for him.

“He’s not happy, no,” Stephen Curry said. “Anybody in that situation, you can’t expect them to be OK with the decision.”

“We know it’s going to kill him not being out there,” Klay Thompson said.

The Warriors tried to keep a lid on their emotions, some faring better than others.

Coach Steve Kerr declined to comment on the ruling, saying: “It’s irrelevant what any of us think. We just have to accept the decision and move on.”

Andrew Bogut, when asked if the Cavs might have lobbied for suspension, said: “You’d have to ask them, but highly likely.”

Klay Thompson took a swipe at LeBron saying, “I guess his feelings just got hurt … I’m just kind of shocked some guys take it so personal. It’s a man’s league.”

James was also assessed a technical foul for his role in the altercation, which included a physical taunt.

After Green had gotten tangled up with James and fallen to the floor, the Cavaliers forward walked over him. Green flung his arm toward James for the low blow.

“I felt like that was disrespectful,” Green told The Undefeated after the game. “I don’t disrespect you on the court. Don’t disrespect me. There’s no love lost. It is what it is. It’s a battle out there. I’m going to battle with whoever it is.”

He has averaged 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the series and was a candidate for Finals MVP.

Green will not be permitted in Oracle Arena on Monday during the game due to the suspension.

“There is no words for it,” Green’s mother, Mary Babers-Green, tweeted.

Torrian Harris, Green’s brother, posted an Instagram photo of the player with these words:

“FREE DRAYMOND GREEN”