In a shocking turn of events, the NBA has handed down a five-game suspension without pay to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green for his role in an on-court altercation with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. The incident, marked by a forcible chokehold, prompted the league to take swift action, citing Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.
The altercation unfolded early in the game, involving not only Green and Gobert but also resulting in fines for Gobert, Klay Thompson, and Jaden McDaniels, each receiving $25,000 for their roles in the heated exchange. The league’s statement, issued by executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, emphasized Green’s past infractions as a contributing factor to the severity of the suspension.
According to report by Fox Sports, The suspension will see Green miss crucial matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs before becoming eligible to return on November 28 against the Sacramento Kings. The incident has left the basketball community in a state of shock, with Gobert expressing his displeasure at being fined while attempting to play a peacemaking role.
This marks the fifth suspension in Green’s career, with Dumars referring to a history that includes 163 technical fouls, 17 ejections, and three prior suspensions. The controversy adds another layer to an already storied career, and Gobert’s plans to appeal further fuel the ongoing drama surrounding this high-profile incident.