After Latest Draymond Green Ejection, Opponent Says, 'That Brother ...

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 12: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after being ... [+] ejected for a flagrant foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 119-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

After Draymond Green was ejected for the 18th time in the regular season on Tuesday night, the player he hit had some choice words about the Golden State Warriors star.

“What’s going on with him, I don’t know,” Phoenix Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic said after Green hit him in the head during Phoenix’s 119-116 victory. “Personally, I feel like that brother needs help. I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me...Hopefully whatever he got in his life, it get better.”

Green apologized for the flagrant-2 foul, said he did not mean to hit Nurkic and directly responded to his comment about needing help.

“He was pulling my hip and I was swinging away to sell the call, made contact with him,” Green said. “As you know, I’m not one to apologize for things I meant to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf because I didn’t intend to hit him. I sell calls with my arms. I don’t fall to sell a call, I’m not a flopper.”

Green likely faces another suspension. In November, he was suspended five games for choking Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In April, Green was suspended for Game 3 of a playoff series with the Sacramento Kings after he stomped on the chest of Kings forward Domantas Sabonis and was ejected.

Asked about Nurkic’s comment about needing help, Green replied, “Respect, I still know what my intentions were. But respect. I think we all need help. I don’t think any of us are too perfect, so respect.”

Steph Curry is used to seeing his teammate get ejected.

“It’s tough because we need him out there,” he said, “and obviously the ejection changed the momentum or the emotions of the game. But that’s going to be his challenge and we’re here to support him, here to have confidence in him to be able to do that because we obviously need him.”

Golden State is now 10-13 and in 11th place in the Western Conference.

“We all have to play better together, individually we have to play together and whatever you’re asked to do, whatever rotation you’re in, be prepared to adapt,” Curry said.

This marks Green’s third season with three ejections, the most by any player in the last 25 seasons.

In June, Green re-signed with Golden State on a four-year, $100-million contract. He is currently averaging 9.7 points, 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds.

According to Forbes, the Warriors lead the league in team valuations at $7.7 billion. They privately funded their $1.4 billion Chase Center near San Francisco Bay.

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