Draymond Green won't be suspended for kick to Steven Adams
Draymond Green won't be suspended for kicking Steven Adams between the legs during the Thunder's Game 3 win over the Warriors, the NBA announced on Monday.
Green's kick was ruled a flagrant-one foul at the time, and the NBA conversation was dominated on Monday with the question of whether or not the league would review the play and deem it worthy of a suspension. The league has upgraded the play to a flagrant-two foul, and Green has been fined $25,000.
“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,” said Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
“During a game, players -- at times -- flail their legs in an attempt to draw a foul,” VanDeWeghe continued, “but Green’s actions in this case warranted an additional penalty.”
The league handed down a one-game suspension to Dahntay Jones of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, a day after Jones hit Bismack Biyombo below the belt. Jones has a history of making these types of plays, however, and though Green caught Adams with a knee in the same region during the previous game, the league obviously viewed the Game 3 kick as being unintentional.
The Thunder lead the Warriors 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals. Game 4 tips off Tuesday in Oklahoma City at 9:00 p.m. ET.
