The Warriors were able to rally in a Game 1 thriller against the Grizzlies, despite a very questionable ejection of Draymond Green at the end of the first half.
Green was saddled with a Flagrant 2 foul after fouling Memphis’ Brandon Clarke. As the Grizzlies forward went up for a lay-up, Green could be seen checking him before grabbing on his jersey as Clarke fell to the floor.
After the game, the NBA released its Pool Report on Green’s ejection:
QUESTION: Why was Draymond Green’s ejection deemed a flagrant two foul?
FITZGERALD: Because the contact in total was considered unnecessary and excessive which leads to a flagrant foul penalty two and ejection.
QUESTION: What did you see that made the call a flagrant two instead of a flagrant one?
FITZGERALD: Well, there’s a couple things. The first part was the wind up and significant contact to the face, and then the pull down from the jersey grab and throw down to the floor to an airborne vulnerable player makes that unnecessary and excessive. That’s what led to the flagrant foul penalty two.
DRAYMOND GREEN EJECTED FOR THIS 😳 (via @ActionNetworkHQ)pic.twitter.com/CHHJdei8Od
— Overtime (@overtime) May 1, 2022
Grizzlies fans were reportedly chanting “throw him out,” as referees reviewed the play to determine the level of the foul.
Draymond Green got word of the call before it was announced to the broadcast and did a “victory lap” around the court prior to running into the tunnel.
Apparently, officials believe Green catching Clarke across the face, along with the tug of the jersey was enough to end his day right there. But, there didn’t appear to be malicious intent.
That said, now Green is one Flagrant 2 or a pair of Flagrant 1’s away from a suspension.
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