With 4:44 remaining against Charlotte Hornets, Draymond Green swerved in a lost attempt by Eric Paschall to give the Golden State Warriors a 10 point lead with the fourth time ending. Before his tip, the former Defense Player of the Year hit a 3-point tip to extend the Golden State advantage.
Despite his pair of clutch points, Green’s performance against the Hornets will be remembered for what happened in the final seconds.
With the Warriors leading by two points with 9.3 seconds to go, LaMelo Ball lined up for a high ball against Brad Wanamaker. Following the tip. Charlotte quickly called for a break while Green and Gordon Hayward tried to catch the stray ball. Upset after Charlotte received a timeout and possession, Green lost his temper. While barking at officers, the Golden State striker received two techniques that led to ejection.
Along with Green’s departure from the game at a crucial moment, Charlotte received two technical free throws and a chance to steal the contest with final possession. As the clock ticked by, Terry Rozier punched a corner jumper to win the game for Charlotte at the bell, 102-100.
After the frustrating Golden State loss to the Hornets, Steve Kerr called Green’s techniques “a terrible mistake”.
Through @anthonyVslater on twitter:
At his post-game press conference with reporters, Kerr said that Green has crossed the line.
He crossed the line. That is the main thing. We love your passion and your energy. We wouldn’t be the team we are without him, but that doesn’t give him the license to cross that line.
Through @usatodaynba on twitter:
After the game, Paschall told reporters that Green took over ownership of his pair of techniques in Charlotte.
Green ended the fight with five points from 2 of 7 field shots with seven boards, three assists and two blocks in 32 minutes against the Hornets. Green and the Warriors will have a chance to recover on Tuesday with a trip to Madison Square Garden for a battle against the New York Knicks.