The Golden State Warriors were in a hotly-contested game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. In addition to an overtime loss, there was a spat between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green over the latter’s decision to not give the ball to the former with the chance to win in regulation. As we’ve learned in the aftermath, Green brought up Durant’s impending free agency while they chirped at one another on the floor, and the tension carried over into their locker room.
Golden State has the opportunity to make this all water under the bridge on Tuesday night, as the defending champs play host to the lowly Atlanta Hawks. According to a report by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, though, Green won’t help them try to right the ship, as the team expects to sit him.
Golden State is expected to sit Draymond Green for tonight’s game against Atlanta, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 13, 2018
Now, it cannot be stressed enough that this might not necessarily be because of Green’s back-and-forth with Durant. The Warriors’ defensive ace has been dealing with a foot injury, and Monday night was the first time in three games that he took the floor. Frankly, it makes sense that Golden State would want to ease him back into action because of the trickiness of foot injuries, and there’s no better way to do that than by resting him on the second night of a back-to-back.
It’s a bit awkward that this is happening one game after Green and Durant went at one another, but it’s totally possible this was all part of the plan. We’ll keep you posted if word drops on why Green is out.
UPDATE: Welp! It turns out this is because of Green going Durant, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
After the Golden State Warriors reviewed comments made in heated moments last night, Green is expected to sit tonight against the Atlanta Hawks to cool off. https://t.co/SadxTuy0ep
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 13, 2018
Charania’s colleague at The Athletic, Sam Amick, added even more details.
I’m told Warriors coach Steve Kerr made this decision. https://t.co/IinkeNmbuQ
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 13, 2018
Meanwhile, the Warriors aren’t 100 percent sure on whether to identify this as a suspension and fine Green.
There is still a determination being made about whether it will be deemed as a suspension — and cost him money — but Draymond Green will not play for the Warriors tonight, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 13, 2018
It’s a weird situation, and the Warriors are obviously doing all they can to handle this with care. In their eyes, the best course of action is to keep Green on the sideline and hope cooler heads prevail.
