Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr shared Stephen Curry’s disappointment on Wednesday night as they both tried to make sense of another incident involving Draymond Green. Green was ejected just four minutes into the Warriors’ 101-93 win over the Orlando Magic, a crucial game for Golden State’s playoff aspirations. The often confrontational Green was given a double technical and ejected for an altercation with official Ray Acosta, leaving the Warriors to play the remainder of the game without the former Defensive Player of the Year. Despite the victory, Kerr was unimpressed with Green’s actions, and the NBA must consider whether further suspension or punishment is warranted for the controversial power forward.
Speaking to reporters after the game at the Kia Center in Orlando, Kerr expressed regret over Green’s ejection, describing it as “unfortunate” and “too bad.” However, he acknowledged that Green, 34, “deserved” to be ejected.
“I’m proud of the guys for stepping up,” Kerr said, referring to how the team dealt with Green’s absence.
Facing off against Orlando’s strong defense, Golden State managed to establish a lead of up to 17 points and maintained a rebounding advantage of plus-13 on the road. Despite a strong effort from Cole Anthony, who scored 26 points coming off the bench, the Magic stayed in contention, reducing the deficit to 94-93 with less than two minutes remaining. However, Stephen Curry took charge in the final 70 seconds, scoring five points, including a critical three-pointer with 33.1 seconds left, securing the victory for Golden State despite Draymond Green’s absence.
Kerr praised Gary Payton II, who scored 10 points in 19 minutes, and Moses Moody, who added 12 points in 24 minutes, for their crucial contributions off the bench in the Warriors’ 38th win of the season. This victory keeps them in contention for a place in the NBA Play-In Tournament and ahead of the surging Houston Rockets. With the postseason approaching, bench scoring will remain crucial for Golden State, particularly if Draymond Green’s availability continues to be uncertain.
Despite publicly expressing confidence in Draymond Green, a player he played a significant role in developing into a Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time NBA champion, Kerr’s support is facing scrutiny. The NBA is growing weary of Green’s controversial behavior, raising questions about how much patience remains for a player who consistently finds himself in trouble.
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