But it didn’t take long for him to leave his mark on the game. After missing out Game 3 due to an NBA ban, the Golden State Warriors forward came off the bench in Game 4 against the Sacramento Kings. He received a technical foul less than one minute into his appearance.
Green entered the game with 6:36 left in the first quarter and the Kings up 15-14. With 5:43 remaining in the quarter, he picked up a personal foul while leaping to block Keegan Murray’s drive in the paint. He quickly challenged the whistle, claiming Murray had travelled on the play in which Green accidently smacked the Kings forward in the face and knocked him to the court.
Green and Kings All-Star De’Aaron Fox began yelling at each other after the whistle. Pat Fraher, an official, had had enough of the discussion. He called technical fouls on both players.
Tensions in the series are high, which was heightened during Game 2 when Green stepped on Kings player Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis had grabbed Green’s ankle after being knocked to the ground during a rebound skirmish. Green wiggled away from Sabonis’ grip and landed with his right foot on Sabonis’ chest.
Green was removed from the game after receiving a flagrant two foul. He was punished by the NBA for Game 3 for taunting Kings supporters on the sideline before fleeing the field.
While issuing the ban, NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars highlighted “Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.” Green’s record as a “repeat offender” and history of “excessive and over-the-top actions” had a part in the decision to ban him for a playoff game, he subsequently stated.
Despite Green’s absence, the Warriors won Game 3 and trimmed their series lead to 2-1. Coach Steve Kerr elected to retain Jordan Poole in the starting lineup while bringing Green off the bench for Game 4. Green’s first appearance off the bench in a playoff game since 2014, according to ESPN.
He was greeted with a standing ovation from the Warriors’ home fans. He got back on the floor a few moments later, when the Warriors tied the series at 2-2.
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