Pachulia reportedly won’t be sanctioned
NEW YORK — Warriors center Zaza Pachulia will not receive any discipline from the NBA for falling on Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook’s legs during Golden State’s rout Saturday of the Thunder, according to multiple reports.
While going for a rebound with Warriors guard Nick
Young in the third quarter, Westbrook collided with Young and crumpled to the floor. Pachulia — who was near the play, but not necessarily involved in the collision — fell on Westbrook, grabbing the reigning MVP’s leg before standing.
An 11-second video clip of the sequence quickly went viral, leaving many to debate whether Pachulia purposely fell on Westbrook. Boston guard Kyrie Irving posted to Instagram that the league needed to review the play.
Pachulia brushed off questions about the incident, telling ESPN: “No comment. That’s childish. Come on. I’m not responding to that.” Westbrook and teammate Paul
George, however, didn’t hold back when asked about the play.
“Obviously, it was intentional,” Westbrook told reporters. “Nobody touched him, and he fell over my leg. He tried to hurt me. But, hey, that’s how it goes.”
“You know Zaza,” George said. “You know his history. You know nobody pushed him.”
Bell returns: Warriors forward Jordan Bell returned from a swollen left ankle Monday night against the Knicks, posting three points and three assists in 13 minutes.
Bell, who arrived at Madison Square Garden averaging 5.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, had missed the previous 14 games. After participating in his first full-court scrimmage in more than a month Wednesday, he told reporters that he felt no lingering soreness.
His extended absence was glaring for a team that often struggles with complacency. An instant-energy big man, Bell excels at running the floor, throwing down alley-oop dunks and guarding multiple positions. JaVale McGee started at center for the third straight game Monday, but Bell could seize the starting job at some point this season. His ability to switch off screens and defend guards is increasingly valuable as the NBA trends toward small-ball lineups. With Bell active, Kevon
Looney was inactive against the Knicks.
Tech rescinded: The NBA has rescinded the technical foul Warriors forward Draymond
Green was assessed in Saturday night’s win over Oklahoma City, the league announced Monday.
Late in the first half, after getting whistled for a foul on a block attempt, Green raised his arms, apparently encouraging a raucous Oracle Arena crowd, and earned his 15th technical foul of the season. With that technical now rescinded, Green is down to 14.
NBA rules dictate that a player receives an automatic one-game suspension once he is assessed his 16th technical of the season, with another onegame suspension for every two additional techs.