By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Draymond Green was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA after he stomped on Domantas Sabonis’ chest during the Golden State Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA announced the decision in a Tuesday statement from executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, who wrote the ban “was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.” Green will miss Game 3.
Shortly after the suspension was announced, the Kings announced Sabonis “sustained a sternum contusion” and is questionable for Game 3.
The incident took place late in Game 2 which Sacramento won, 114-106 to take a 2-0 series lead. Sabonis fell to the floor during a fight for a rebound on a Kings’ shot. Golden State‘s Stephen Curry secured the rebound and led the Warrior’s offense to the other side of the court.
Green was standing next to Sabonis during the change of possession, and Sabonis grabbed hold of Green’s right ankle. Green pulled his foot away from Sabonis’ grasp, then stomped on his chest before starting to run down the court. Sabonis writhed on the floor in pain.
After a review, officials assessed a technical foul on Sabonis for the grab and a flagrant 2 on Green, which triggered an automatic ejection. The Kings led, 91-87 at the time of the incident and went on to an 8-point win. Green finished the game with 8 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 5 turnovers.
Sabonis continued to play and tallied 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the Kings win. Postgame X-rays didn’t reveal any injuries for Sabonis, but further imaging on Tuesday led to his diagnosis and questionable status for Game 3.