Draymond Green is a complex person, and all his teammates must accept the frustration he causes despite being great — even Steph Curry.
The Golden State Warriors‘ game on Wednesday night, March 27 against the Orlando Magic was a clear example of this, as official Ray Acosta ejected Green less than four minutes into the first quarter following two technical fouls.
Green’s ejection stemmed from an altercation he had with Acosta following a defensive play, which resulted in a score for Magic forward Paolo Banchero and a possible three-point play. The BasketballNews.com X account posted the full video of the play and the subsequent interaction between Green and Acosta, citing video credit to NBC Sports.
Curry was visibly upset following Green’s ejection. Most NBA analysts, both local and national, interpreted Curry’s frustration as being directed at Green for his behavior leading to two technical fouls and his subsequent disqualification from the game, rather than at Acosta for ejecting Green.
The Warriors on NBCS X account posted video of an exasperated Curry pacing back and forth, shaking his head, and covering his face with his jersey.
“Steph’s reaction to Draymond’s ejection,” the video caption said.
Steph Curry Calls Out Draymond Green, Says He Must Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ to Stay in Games
GettyDraymond Green of the Golden State Warriors (left) guards Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic (right) during an NBA game in March 2024.
The road game in Orlando was crucial for Golden State, as most recent and future contests will be in the final stretch of the regular season.
The main reason is that the Dubs (38-34) are currently 10th in the Western Conference standings and hold the final spot in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament on that side of the bracket. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets (37-35) — winners of 10 in a row and 12 of 13 — are closing in on the Warriors, trailing them by only a single game.
With only 10 games remaining before the Play-In Tournament begins, Golden State was able to secure an eight-point victory over Orlando. However, Curry didn’t let Green off the hook during his postgame comments simply because the Warriors were able to capture the win without him.
“All I’ll say is we need him,” Curry said when reporter Anthony Slater of The Athletic asked him what he thought about Green’s ejection. “He knows that. We all know that. So whatever it takes for him to be on the floor and available, that’s what’s gotta happen.”
Draymond Green Sends Message to Warriors Teammates Following Ejection, Win Over Magic
GettySteph Curry (left) and Draymond Green (right) of the Golden State Warriors.
Green has played in 46 games this season. Officials have ejected him from four of those contests, which is the most for any NBA player in any season since 2017-18, according to Anthony Gharib of ESPN.
The NBA also suspended Green for 12 games earlier in the year following what appeared to be a punch thrown at center Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns during a game on December 12, 2023.
Green didn’t say sorry for his actions against the Magic, at least not publicly, but he did go on social media with a message after getting ejected Wednesday night.
“Great DUB!!” Green shared on X. “Appreciate my dawgs holding it down! On to the next one! BOUNCE BACK!”
The Warriors will play their next game away against the Charlotte Hornets Friday.
