Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green is expected to only receive a fine and will not be suspended for his altercation with Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Green would thus be eligible to play in a pivotal Game 3 Thursday with the Warriors trailing the Kings 2-0 in their opening-round series of the NBA Playoffs.
The two forwards tussled in the paint during Game 2 Monday. Green stomped on Sabonis’ chest with 7:03 left to play in the fourth quarter, leading to an ejection for a flagrant foul.
Officials assessed Sabonis a technical foul for holding Green’s leg, which appeared to prompt Green’s response.
“My leg got grabbed,” Green said after the game. “Second time in two nights. Referees just watch it. I’ve got to land my foot somewhere. I’m not the most flexible person, so it’s not stretching that far. I can only step so far.”
Following the contest, Sabonis explained his role in the altercation as self preservation.
“When I fell, I was protecting myself, and then the incident happened,” Sabonis said, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. “There is no room for that in our game today.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported initial X-rays for Sabonis were negative, but the All-Star will undergo further testing Tuesday.
The Kings defeated the Warriors 114-106 in Game 2, handing Golden State its first 2-0 playoff series deficit since 2007.