Top 5 Draymond Green ejections for violent behavior

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green adds to long history of ejections. Many call for lengthy suspension after violent altercation.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has a long history of ejections, and he added to that legacy during a recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was one of three players ejected after putting Wolves center Rudy Gobert in a chokehold while backing up teammate Klay Thompson. This ejection marked the 18th of Green's 12-year career, the most of any active player.

Many are calling for the star forward to receive a lengthy suspension, questioning whether this was his most violent ejection. Here are five of Green's most brutal career ejections:

1. During a regular season matchup against the Detroit Pistons on January 4, 2023, Green was ejected late in the fourth quarter after an altercation with Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart.

2. In Game 1 of Golden State's 2022 Western Conference semifinals series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Green was ejected for a dangerous play on Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke.

3. In a regular season matchup against the Washington Wizards on October 27, 2017, Green was ejected late in the first half after a heated altercation with then-Wizards star shooting guard Bradley Beal.

4. During Game 2 of the Warriors' 2023 first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings, Green was ejected and later suspended for intentionally stepping on Kings star center Domantas Sabonis.

Green's most recent ejection was particularly violent, as he ran at Gobert from behind and kept him in a headlock for several seconds before letting go. The fact that the play occurred in the first two minutes of the game with the score being 0-0 made the altercation even more shocking. Green will almost surely receive a suspension, as the NBA has cracked down harshly on players engaging in physical altercations in recent years. This could be a tough blow for the Warriors, who are already without superstar point guard Steph Curry (knee). Without Green, the Warriors ultimately fell 104-101. Green went scoreless with two rebounds in two minutes.