The NBA suspended Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green indefinitely on Wednesday, Dec. 12, for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face a night earlier.
Green’s “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts” played a role in his punishment.
Green has been ejected from three games this season, with the most recent instance coming in the third quarter of Tuesday night’s 119–116 loss to the Suns.
He was tossed with 8:23 left in the period after picking up a flagrant foul 2 for landing an open-hand punch to the face of Nurkic, who was guarding Green at the time.
Following the game, Green apologized to Nurkic and claimed the contact was accidental.
“He was grabbing my hip, so I spun away and unfortunately I hit him,” Green said. “So, like I said, I apologize to Jusuf.”
ESPN reported that Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Green’s agent, Rich Paul, are expected to meet with Green on Thursday to discuss counseling options for the four-time All-Star.
Green also made headlines on Nov. 14 when he was ejected for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock during an on-court scrum.
That led to a five-game suspension for Green, who was first thrown out of a game on Nov. 11 after being tagged with a pair of technical fouls against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Since the latest suspension doesn’t have a specific amount of games, the NBA is hoping that Green will take the time he needs to get help for the issues he is dealing with, according to ESPN’s report.
In 15 games this season, the 33-year-old Green has averaged 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He is in his 12th season with Golden State.
