“Your Middle Name Is Flagrant”: TNT Crew Denies Draymond Green of Basic NBA Privilege in Public Humiliation

The Timberwolves kept their season alive with a thrilling win in Game 4 against the Mavs. Showcasing its hard-nosed mentality, Minnesota stepped on away soil in the fight for survival, emerging as victors in the end. However, there was a controversial moment in the 3rd quarter that could have spelled more trouble for KAT before the 4th quarter. When trying to find space, he accidentally drove his elbow into PJ Washington’s face. It was only called a common foul. However, Inside the NBA‘s crew was shocked it wasn’t adjourned a flagrant. Even Draymond Green said, “I thought that was a flagrant too,”. And what happened next was uncalled for.

“Your middle name is flagrant,” Kenny Smith said, taking a jab at Green’s history of ugly and intentional fouls throughout his career. But the two-time champion wasn’t done. “Draymond, you’re a great player, a great analyst but you are a flagrant two”. The Warrior wasn’t allowed to do what most analysts are paid to do; put forward his honest opinion! Over his decorated career, Dray has collected 15 flagrant fouls in the regular season. That tally rests at 6 in the postseason, his infamous being the groin hit on LeBron in the 2016 NBA Finals, which led to a series-altering suspension. Maybe Smith does have a point after all.

However, coming back to today’s game, the difference maker was arguably Karl-Anthony Towns. Only one game ago, it seemed Towns had lost the touch on his jumpers. He couldn’t convert a single one of his threes. That wasn’t the story tonight. In the pivotal moments of the fourth quarter, the 28-year-old hit home three triples to maintain a sizeable lead for the Wolves. He fouled out moments later, but redemption had been achieved.

The Wolves finally claim a fourth quarter

Even though the series stood at 0-3 before today, it was a lot closer than people would perceive. In fact, the Timberwolves led in all the games with five minutes to go. The alarming difference has come during the fourth quarter. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had been tremendous during the clutch moments in the first three games. Tonight, the Wolves finally clutched up. Towns and Anthony Edwards, the star duo for the team on the rise, combined for 54 points to secure the first win of the series.

Doncic and Kai were hounded all night after two games of 60 points between the two. The Slovenian’s 30-point streak was put to an end. Kyrie had an awful shooting performance, only scoring 16 points in the loss, his first in a closeout game.

However, despite the ridiculously difficult win, not much has changed. Every game for the Timberwolves could be their last. They don’t have the luxury of taking a wrong stride. Everything needs to work in accordance with their iron will to turn the series around. To do it against Luka Doncic, one of the most flamboyant playoff performers, is going to be a vexing task.

Can the Wolves hold off the Mavericks and make history? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

To know more about the status of Inside the NBA, watch our interview with Leonard Armato in the video below.