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Getty ImagesTuesday night’s Warriors vs. Timberwolves in-season tournament got off to a furious start as Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Jaden McDaniels were sent off for their parts in a brawl that broke out less than two minutes into the game. Green got into the headlock on Minnesota center Rudy Gobert.
The result was a 104-101 setback for the Warriors, who were already without their three main players due to an injured Stephen Curry.
Gobert almost expected that kind of aggressive play, at least from one of the players engaged in the altercation, because of Curry’s absence.
Gobert repeatedly called Green’s actions “clown behavior” after the game. “Every time Steph doesn’t play, (Green) doesn’t want to play without his guy Steph, so he does anything he can to get ejected,” Gobert said.
In the first 100 seconds of the game, McDaniels and Thompson tangled during a transition, with Thompson holding McDaniels’ jersey while the latter waited for a lengthy rebound. As they made their way down the floor, McDaniels grabbed Thompson and neither one of them released.
As they started to shove and swing each other around, McDaniels tore off Thompson’s jersey, and Thompson swung his arm at him.
Thompson kind of grabbed my collar as I was going to crash for a rebound. McDaniels remarked I was just trying to defend myself and get him off me.” The remainder is as it is. I was aware earlier that there was some back-and-forth chitchat. I didn’t give it much thought. I was merely chuckling. I suppose he gave it more thought.
Green locked Gobert in a headlock while other players surged toward the two players. Green was dragged off Gobert by coaches and players, while others kept McDaniels and Thompson apart. Following a review, McDaniels, Thompson, and Green were each given two technical fouls, while Green received a flagrant foul.
According to ESPN Stats & Information analysis, it was the only game in the previous 25 seasons in which more than one player was sent off before either team scored.
Gobert stated that his involvement was intended to “de-escalate the situation.” To prevent things from getting worse, Gobert raised his hands when Green grabbed him.
My initial reaction was simply, ‘I’m not going to fight.’ To support my team, I have to be in this game, Gobert remarked. I just waited till the situation was done and indicated to the referee that I had my hands up. Not a whole lot more. The choke wasn’t strong enough to send me to sleep.
Guard Anthony Edwards yelled at reporters as they entered the Minnesota locker room following the game, saying, “Slim is not guilty on all counts,” alluding to McDaniels.
In addition to defending Thompson’s ejection, Warriors coach Steve Kerr provided an explanation for Green’s actions.
Klay never ought to have been removed. That was absurd, he remarked. I took offense at that. Regarding the Draymond portion of it, Rudy was holding Klay’s throat. This is the reason Draymond pursued Rudy.
Following the game, Thompson and Green were unavailable for comment.
Green’s actions toward Gobert were “unnecessary and excessive,” according to crew chief Tyler Ford, who told a pool reporter that they qualified for a severe foul penalty 2.
Ford stated that in regard to Gobert’s engagement and communication with Thompson, Gobert “was attempting to separate Thompson and McDaniels and was ruled to be a peacemaker.”
Ford and the other referees examined every other participant and found no other behavior to be “unsportsmanlike.”
I believed that the ejections were appropriate, stated Chris Finch, the coach of Minnesota. I believed they were justified. In my opinion, the referees performed admirably in seizing control of the game from that vantage position. Although the game was somewhat physical, it wasn’t extremely risky or uncontrollable.
Gobert stated that he did not feel in danger during the altercation, but he still believes that Green will face consequences from the NBA.
“I do hope that the league is going to do what needs to be done,” he stated.
Green was ejected against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, marking his second expulsion of the year.
Credits: ESPN
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