Draymond Green: 'I Deserved' Early Ejection; Steph Curry Emotional

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected from Thursday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies after committing a flagrant foul on Brandon Clarke in the first quarter. Green was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2, which carries an automatic ejection.

The incident occurred with 7:55 remaining in the opening quarter. Clarke was driving to the basket when Green, playing help defense, made a hard closeout and struck Clarke in the face with his elbow. Clarke fell to the ground and was slow to get up.

After the game, Green apologized for his actions, saying he “deserved” to be ejected.

“I’m not going to make any excuses,” Green said. “I hit him in the face. I deserved to get ejected. That’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job.”

Golden State superstar Stephen Curry expressed disappointment and frustration with Green’s ejection.

“It’s tough,” Curry said. “He’s our emotional leader, and when he’s not on the floor, it’s a big hole for us to fill. It’s disappointing to lose him like that.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called Green’s foul “unnecessary” and said it “cost us the game.”

“That’s a play where you’ve got to know the situation,” Kerr said. “We were up. We were in control of the game. And then you make a reckless foul like that, and it changes the whole complexion of the game.”

The NBA is reviewing Green’s ejection and could potentially suspend him for additional games. Green is already serving a one-game suspension for a separate incident involving Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks.

The Warriors will face the Grizzlies again on Saturday night in a crucial game that could determine the Western Conference playoff standings. Green is expected to miss the game due to his suspension.