By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest incident involving Draymond Green stemmed from Footprint Center with Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic on the receiving end of a spinning backhand.
Nurkic, 29, continued and posted a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double to help the Phoenix Suns secure the home win versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. In contrast, Green was ejected in the third quarter.
“I was swinging away to sell the call and made contact with him,” reacted the 33-year-old forward, “I am not one to apologize for things I meant to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf because I did not intend to hit him.”
Despite expressing regret for his violent action, another suspension is likely to be issued by the NBA. Earlier in the 2023-24 Regular Season, he was suspended for five games without pay due to the altercation opposite French center Rudy Gobert.
“What’s going on with him? I don’t know,” wondered the Bosnian center, “I feel like that brother needs help. I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me. At the same time, it ain’t nothing to do with basketball. I am just out there trying to play basketball and they are swinging.”
Downed to 10-13, the Warriors will probably complete a three-game road stretch against the Los Angeles Clippers without Green on Thursday.
“We need him,” mentioned head coach Steve Kerr, “He knows that. We have talked to him. He has to find a way to keep his poise and be out there for his teammates.”
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