Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green found himself in the spotlight once again for his on-court antics. During Friday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, Green’s transition take foul on Grizzlies center Zach Edey was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after a review by the NBA, the league announced on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the third quarter with 7:06 remaining in Golden State’s hard-fought 123-118 victory over Memphis. As Green drove towards the basket, he lost control of the ball, which was quickly picked up by Edey. While Edey attempted to pass the ball to a teammate, he was tripped by Green, who appeared to grab Edey’s leg as he fell.
The trip sent Edey to the ground, and he immediately yelled in frustration, clearly directing his anger at Green.
The referees initially called a transition take foul on Green, but the incident did not receive an in-game review for a potential flagrant foul. The lack of an immediate review drew considerable backlash, especially given Green’s history of physical play and incidents that have escalated tensions during games.
Following the trip, Green’s frustration only seemed to grow. Later in the fourth quarter, with under two minutes left in the game, Green received a pair of technical fouls for arguing with the officials over a different foul call.
The technicals led to his ejection from the game, adding yet another chapter to his long history of confrontations with referees.
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Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins was vocal about his displeasure with the officials after the game. Speaking to reporters, Jenkins expressed his belief that Green’s actions warranted an ejection, not just a standard foul. “Draymond grabs (Edey’s) leg and pulls him down. Doesn’t get reviewed,” Jenkins said in frustration. “I know there’s a code in this league, and I don’t understand how that wasn’t reviewed. Very disappointed.”
Jenkins’ comments highlighted a sentiment shared by many Grizzlies fans, who felt that Green’s trip was both intentional and dangerous, deserving of a harsher penalty.
The NBA seemingly agreed, as they announced on Saturday that Green’s transition foul had been upgraded to a flagrant 1, acknowledging that the initial ruling did not fully capture the severity of the incident.
Green’s flagrant foul and subsequent ejection underscore the intensity of the rivalry between the Warriors and Grizzlies. Games between these two teams have become known for their physicality and heated moments, and Friday’s matchup was no different.
While Golden State emerged victorious, the focus after the game was as much on the altercation between Green and Edey as it was on the Warriors’ win.
As for Green, this is yet another instance in his career where his physical style of play has led to controversy. Known for his aggressive defense and willingness to get under opponents’ skin, Green’s actions often blur the line between hard-nosed basketball and unsportsmanlike conduct.
The flagrant 1 designation adds to his already substantial record of flagrant and technical fouls, something that has frequently put both him and his team in precarious situations.
The league’s decision to upgrade the foul is an attempt to ensure that players’ safety is prioritized and that such incidents are appropriately addressed.
Whether this will lead to any change in Green’s approach remains to be seen, but the NBA’s response sends a clear message about the standards expected on the court.
For now, both teams will look to move forward, with the Warriors hoping to keep their momentum and the Grizzlies seeking to channel their frustration into future games.
As always, the rivalry between these two teams will be something to watch, with every matchup carrying an added layer of tension and intensity.
