NBA world reactions to Draymond Green’s Game 2 stomp, ejection
Apr 18, 2023, 9:43 AM
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors leaves the court after being ejected from their game against the Sacramento Kings during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California.
For the first time in the Stephen Curry-Draymond Green-Klay Thompson-Steve Kerr era, the Golden State Warriors are down 0-2 in a playoff series.
And following Tuesday night’s game, one of those players may not be available for Game 3.
In the fourth quarter, as Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis was attempting to grab a rebound, he fell. While on the ground, he appeared to grab Green’s foot. After getting his foot free, Green stomped on Sabonis’ chest. Moments later, and after a referee review, Green was assessed a flagrant 2 and was immediately ejected.
Following the game, Sabonis said he was trying to protect his head because he got hit in the jaw earlier in the game.
After the game, players, pundits and fans shared their thoughts on what happened. Damian Lillard and NBA on TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal sided with Draymond Green.
Take foul on Sabonis … I didn’t think Dray tried to step down … that’s just how his balance ended up 🤷🏽♂️…
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 18, 2023
“I’m not going to sit up here and be a hypocrite. I’d do the same thing, I really would. Don’t be grabbing me because what am I gonna do? If I stay there and just try to run forward, I’ll fall…Was it a dirty play? Of course it was a dirty play,” O’Neal said as the NBA on TNT panel argued over the excessiveness of Green’s stomp.
“Why don’t you lay on the floor and I’ll see if I can stomp on you?” 🤣💀@SHAQ & Chuck on Draymond's ejection pic.twitter.com/LDI9WGUT3D
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 18, 2023
On First Take Tuesday morning, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said it wouldn’t surprise him if the NBA suspended Green because of “how it looked.”
.@stephenasmith reacts to Draymond Green's ejection:
"It wouldn't surprise me at all if the NBA suspended him." pic.twitter.com/n3tuTIFrtx
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 18, 2023
And then there were the fans, one of who was at the game, who had fun with the incident on social media.
View this post on Instagram
Wow. Hadn’t seen this angle of the Draymond Stomp yet. Looks REALLY bad. pic.twitter.com/QLTMKp4fWG
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) April 18, 2023
Draymond after getting ejected for stomping Sabonis pic.twitter.com/P3x6jrGHnP
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 18, 2023
how Draymond did Sabonis 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/HiemsZ5xxy
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 18, 2023
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