League decides not to suspend Green for kick
NEW YORK — Draymond Green was fined $25,000 but not suspended by the NBA on Monday for kicking Oklahoma City center Steven Adams in the groin in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday night.
The league also upgraded the foul to a flagrant 2, which would have resulted in an automatic ejection had officials given it that ruling when it happened. That moved him closer to an automatic suspension for accumulation of flagrant foul points.
But Green will be on the court when the Warriors try to even the series at 2-2 on Tuesday at Oklahoma City.
Green was called for a flagrant 1 foul after he was fouled by Adams with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter and kicked his leg up into Adams’ groin. Though the Thunder felt it was intentional, Green and Warriors coach Steve Kerr said they believed the flagrant would actually be rescinded by the league.
NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe disagreed.
“After a thorough investigation that included review of all available video angles and interviews with the players involved and the officials working the game, we have determined that Green’s foul was unnecessary and excessive and warranted the upgrade and fine,” VanDeWeghe said in a statement.
“During a game, players — at times — flail their legs in an attempt to draw a foul, but Green’s actions in this case warranted an additional penalty.”
The NBA determines a flagrant 1 foul to include “unnecessary contact.” A flagrant 2 is defined as “unnecessary and excessive contact.”
Green now has three flagrant foul points during the postseason. One more will force him to miss Golden State’s next game.
Green was an All-Star and the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, but had a dismal game as Oklahoma City took a 2-1 lead. He was 1 for 9 from the field with six points, and the Warriors were outscored by 43 points when he was on the court.