The Warriors have endured a difficult 2023-24 NBA season. They are currently clinging to the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and a spot in the NBA play-in tournament.
Golden State faced a tough test Wednesday against the Magic on the road. Things became even more difficult when Draymond Green was ejected less than four minutes into a fight with the referees.
Green’s ejection was a breaking point for Warriors star Stephen Curry. He was visibly upset after his teammate was thrown and covered her face with his shirt while he rubbed it.
Curry emerged from his jersey with red eyes, causing many to wonder how excited he was to have to lead the Warriors without Green.
Here’s what you need to know about Green’s ejection and Curry’s emotions as he led the Warriors to a 101-93 victory over the Magic.
Was Stephen Curry crying?
Curry was clearly exasperated after Green’s ejection. Curry walked to the Warriors bench after his teammate was thrown and repeatedly shook his head as his teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis tried to console him.
Shortly after leaving the bench, Curry pulled his shirt over his head and rubbed his eyes through the fabric. He emerged red-faced after several seconds, leading many to believe he was crying.
Steph’s reaction to Draymond’s expulsion pic.twitter.com/5TH5DYC9w1
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 27, 2024
Steph Curry appears to be crying after Draymond gets ejected…
The era of the big 3 could be over ?? pic.twitter.com/Ao7P6H1rI9
— ³⁰ (@StephMuse_) March 27, 2024
Curry explained why he was so emotional after Green’s ejection during the postgame media availability in the Warriors locker room.
“We know how important this part of the season is. [for] our ability to get into a rhythm and secure an entry opportunity and give ourselves a chance,” curry. “When it comes down to it, you don’t want to suffer self-inflicted wounds.”
We all care. We are all passionate about the game and our chances of having something to play for down the stretch. You give everything you have in this game and that’s the thrill.
And what do you think about Green leaving early in a critical game?
“All I’ll say is we need it,” Curry said. “He knows it. We all know it. So whatever it takes for him to be on the court and available, that’s what has to happen. Especially at this time of year.”
Why was Draymond Green expelled?
Green was ejected after receiving consecutive technical fouls while arguing a foul that the referees called on teammate Andrew Wiggins.
Green did not participate in the play, but he did not take kindly to the call. He got into a lively argument with Ray Acosta and received a technical foul. He then continued barking at the referees, even despite Curry and Chris Paul’s attempts to intervene, and that led to him hiring a second coach and getting an early release.
Draymond received two technical fouls and was ejected after arguing with the referee. pic.twitter.com/tn2muDIXGo
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 27, 2024
After the game, crew chief Mitchell Ervin explained exactly what in Green’s argument led to his ejection.
“After a prolonged tirade, Green directed egregious profane language toward a game official,” Ervin said in a group report.
Green spoke about the unfortunate events during his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” on Thursday, saying he deserved the ejection at the time.
Draymond talks about the expulsion on “The Draymond Green Show.”
“It just can’t happen. I said what I said, I deserved to be thrown out at that moment. I wish I could have turned my body, leaned over and gone to the bench, but yeah, it just can’t happen.” “.
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 28, 2024
Draymond Green ejection statistics
Green’s ejection marked his fourth of the season in 47 games played. He has also missed 21 games this season due to suspensions that caused him to be away from the team.
Green’s first suspension came after he grabbed Rudy Gobert by the neck during a Warriors-Timberwolves game on Nov. 14. Green was called for a flagrant foul and ejected from the game.
In his sixth game after that suspension, Green punched Jusuf Nurkic in the face against the Suns and was ejected from that contest. The NBA subsequently suspended him indefinitely, citing his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
Green missed 16 games due to that suspension. He returned to court on January 24 and enjoyed a relatively drama-free two-month period.
But after his expulsion on Wednesday, that period of calm ended. Now, the Warriors will simply hope that Green can limit his total ejections to four as they make their way to the playoffs. If he can’t, he will become the first player to be ejected five times in a season since his former teammate Kevin Durant during the 2017-18 season.
