The NBA has suspended Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green indefinitely following his ejection on Tuesday night for punching Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic.
The incident came in the third quarter of the Phoenix-Golden State game on Tuesday. You can see Green spin and punch Nurkic in the face before being tossed from the game for a Flagrant 2 foul.
Shams Charania of The Athletic tweeted that Green must “meet criteria” before returning to play, with the implication that counseling will be part of the expectation.
Sources: Golden State’s Draymond Green is expected to receive counseling and work with the Warriors and NBA while suspended after striking Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkic in the head on Tuesday night. He has to meet criteria before a return to play.
The NBA released the following statement regarding the incident:
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. This outcome takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.
The incident occurred with 8:23 remaining in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 119-116 loss to the Suns on Dec. 12 at Footprint Center. Green received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected.
Green’s suspension will begin immediately. He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play.
The four-time NBA All-Star has averaged 9.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in 25.1 minutes per game over 15 starts for the Warriors this season. Golden State currently owns a 10-13 record, good for 11th in the NBA’s Western Conference.
The Warriors owe the Portland Trail Blazers their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. protected for slots 1-4. The Blazers acquired the pick from the Boston Celtics as part of the trade that sent guard Jrue Holiday to Boston in October.