Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 4/18/23: Draymond Green defends himself after ejection in Game 2 loss vs. Kings

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors lost their Game 2 matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, 114-106. After just two games, the intensity between both teams is reaching a boiling point as the conversation after the matchup was dominated by this fourth quarter incident between Draymond Green and Kings’ center Domantas Sabonis.

After a missed shot led to a Warriors’ rebound, Sabonis appears to grab onto Green’s ankle while laying on the floor. Green reacts by stomping on Sabonis’ chest while trying to free himself from his grip. The incident resulted in Green’s ejection from the game while Sabonis was assessed a technical foul. Here are both of their perspectives on the play.

Green’s aggressive reaction to being held as well as his past reputation could lead to a potential suspension from the league. This would be a huge blow to the Warriors chances of regaining control of the series as Green’s versatility on the defensive side of the floor has been a key component of Golden State’s game plan. Having said that, the Kings and head coach Mike Brown are doing their parts to make the league, at the very least, consider the possibility of a suspension.

It’s also worth noting that shortly after news of Sabonis’ X-rays was announced, Green requested for his right ankle to be X-rayed in one of his greatest acts of sheer pettiness due to an injury he felt was sustained while being held by the Kings’ center.

With three days in between games, the fallout from Game 2 should be an interesting storyline to follow. The Warriors will now head back home to San Francisco, looking to recover from an 0-2 series deficit for the first time during this dynasty run.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• Warriors are being blasted by Mike Brown’s intimate knowledge of their philosophy
• Player grades: Game 2
• Warriors plant their backs against the wall with 114-106 loss
• Warriors split tiebreakers, get No. 19 pick
• Draymond Green finishes 4th in DPOY

Other Warriors News:

• Draymond Green ejected after hard step on Domantas Sabonis’ chest (ESPN)
• Kawakami: The Kings are a stress test for the Warriors, and the role players are failing it (The Athletic)
• Warriors observations: Draymond Green ejected in Game 2 loss to Kings (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins ‘forever grateful’ for team support during absence (Andscape)
• Saturday Ratings: ABC Tops Prime Time with Kings’ Thrilling First Round Game One NBA Playoff Victory Over Warriors (Programming Insider)

NBA News:

• NBA players must play minimum of 65 games to earn MVP, all-league honors: Sources (The Athletic)
• Harper: Why the NBA needs to ban the charge (because it’s stupid and needs to go away) (The Athletic)
• Paul George to B/R: ‘This Is the Reason Why Russ Was Such a Huge Pickup’ (Bleacher Report)
• 76ers ‘get it right’ after Doc Rivers’ timeout, down Nets in Game 2 (ESPN)
• Jaren Jackson Jr. named 2022-23 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year (NBA)