Draymond Green

NBA Suspends Draymond Green Indefinitely 'To Get To Root Of This'

Home / Sports / NBA Suspends Draymond Green Indefinitely 'To Get To Root Of This'

By Melanie VanDerveer on December 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST

NBA fans who felt it was time for Draymond Green to be suspended for his on-court brawls finally got their wish.

On Wednesday night, the NBA suspended the Golden State Warriors player indefinitely so they can "get to the root of the problem."

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Golden State Warriors Player Draymond Green Is Suspended Indefinitely

Draymond Green
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Wednesday evening, the NBA released a statement announcing Green's suspension.

"Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. This outcome takes into account Green's repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts," the statement reads.

"The incident occurred with 8:23 remaining in the third quarter of the Warriors' 119-116 loss to the Suns on Dec. 12 at Footprint Center. Green received a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected."

The statement went on to say Green's suspension begins immediately and he will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he will be able to return to the court.

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Draymond Green
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ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Green, his agent Rich Paul, and the Warriors GM will meet to address how to move forward, and that Green wants to get help with whatever challenges he's facing in his life.

"The Players Association would not have been accepting of an indefinite suspension if Draymond Green wasn't accepting of it. I think what Adam Silver is trying to do here is get to the root of the problems, not putting a number of games on it so all of a sudden Draymond Green is coming back before he's ready," Wojnarowski said.

"Maybe for the first time, Draymond Green is looking at the need to get to maybe get to some of the root of this or dealing with things going on in his life."

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Wojnarowski said it was described to him that perhaps Green had an "epiphany" that he's aware that something needs to change.

"This can't go on anymore and as an organization, the Warriors but also the league, they can't have this continue to go on," Wojnarowski continued.

"Draymond Green is smart. He is a winning player and he knows that not only does this organization need him but he needs to rectify this so they're gonna try here in the near future. It remains to be seen how long indefinite means. I don't think there's a clear picture of that."

NBA Fans Feel It Was Time For Draymond Green To Be Punished For His Bad Behavior

Draymond Green
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Many NBA fans were calling for Green to be suspended after being ejected for smacking Phoenix Suns player Jusuf Nurkic in the face Tuesday night, marking Green's third ejection in 15 games this season. Fans have been vocal on social media about the pattern of on-the-court aggression and fighting that Green has set, and the need for punishment.

On an Instagram post shared by Wojnarowski about Green's suspension, many NBA fans shared their thoughts.

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"Anything less than 25 games is a Joke. This dude doesn’t see the problem," one person wrote. Another added, "Finally!!!! He shouldn’t be allowed to play again. Terrible role model for young fans."

Another fan pointed out how regular Green's fighting has become writing, "It’s one thing to get into physical altercations every once in awhile, but it’s another to repeatedly and purposely try to take someone out."

One other fan explained that "indefinitely" seemed justified in this situation writing, "Indefinitely is crazy, but hey. Actions have consequences."

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