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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Removed after picking up two technical fouls, Draymond Green faced yet another setback at Wednesday’s game. As the Warriors vs. Magic night took off, the Golden State team entered the matchup with a single-game lead over the Rockets. With every win counting for the final spot in the Play-In run, they geared up for the challenge, unprepared for what transpired within moments of the clash. 

Less than four minutes into the first quarter, Warriors forward Draymond Green was caught in a heated argument with official Ray Acosta. Evidently, it all started when opponent player Paolo Banchero made a basket, followed by the 34-year-old’s impromptu physical contact with Acosta. 

As Green received a foul, the brawl escalated further when he started walking toward the bench, leading to a second foul and his subsequent ejection from the court. 

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While the Warriors were initially left stranded without Draymond Green, they were successful in seizing the game despite all odds. Boasting a 3-pointer from Stephen Curry, the team secured a 101-93 win, with Andrew Wiggins scoring 23 points. However, as Green suffered his fourth ejection of this season, questions are now rising about the repercussions of these frequent run-ins with officials. 

How do these obstacles add up for Draymond Green? 

With 21 ejections in his career, Draymond Green has already had his fair share of turmoil in the NBA. Suspended in December last year, he missed 16 games after recklessly striking Suns center Jusuf Nurkic. Additionally, he faced a five-game ban in November after placing Timberwolves player Rudy Gobert in a sudden headlock. 

Even during last season’s playoffs, Draymond Green was suspended for stamping on Domantas Sabonis, the power forward of the Sacramento Kings. 

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USA Today via Reuters

These incidents, coupled with his latest removal from the Warriors’ game, are now triggering widespread speculations about Green’s on-court dynamics in the future. With many questioning its impacts on his team, no further consequences apart from his ejection have been disclosed yet. 

While the Warriors witnessed a surge in their wins early this year, Draymond Green was spotted playing a significant role in his team’s defensive prowess. With seven rebounds and six assists per matchup, he has also been shooting 38.7%. Besides a 3-point range, he has even improved Golden State’s ratings when he’s on-court, elevating approximately 5 points for every 100 possessions. 

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Following Wednesday’s clash, crew chief Mitchell Ervin confirmed that Draymond Green was using inappropriate language during the brawl. While this narrative added further buzz to the rumors surrounding Green’s suspension, the frustration among his teammates was palpable. Gearing up to face the Rockets on Thursday, the Warriors are now hopeful of his appearance, not just in the first few minutes but throughout the game.

Read More: Warriors injury report: Draymond Green joins Stephen Curry to deplete Dubs further vs Mavs