Draymond Green Ejection Sparks Controversy Amid Warriors’ Narrow Win against Suns

Draymond Green’s latest ejection has set off a wave of discussions following the Golden State Warriors’ narrow victory over the Phoenix Suns on December 18, 2025. The game ended with a score of 119-116, but the focus quickly shifted to Green’s conduct and the officiating decisions that led to his ejection.

Ejection Details: What Happened?

During the second quarter, with just over ten minutes left in the half, Draymond Green made a clean block against Suns guard Collin Gillespie. However, tensions escalated when Green and Gillespie exchanged words. Here’s a breakdown of the incident:

• Initial Technical Foul: Green pushed Gillespie, leading to his first technical foul.
• Second Technical Foul: As Green walked away, he directed comments toward referee Pat Fraher, resulting in a second technical foul and an automatic ejection.

Coach Kerr’s Reaction

Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back his frustration after the game, emphasizing the inconsistency in officiating:

“I thought it was weak. He definitely deserved one. But he’s walking to the bench and yells something, and it results in a second technical. Just two nights ago, a player from their team punched Steph in the stomach, and there was no ejection. This seems unfair.”

Kerr was referencing a previous incident involving Dillon Brooks, who received a flagrant foul for his actions against Stephen Curry but was not ejected from the game.

Additional Context: The Brooks Incident

• Flagrant Foul: During the earlier matchup on December 16, Brooks delivered a punch to Curry’s stomach, leading to a flagrant foul but no dismissal from the game.
• Warriors’ Action: The Warriors organization reached out to the league, advocating for Brooks to face disciplinary action through fines or a suspension.

Kerr questioned the league’s standards, stating:

“You can premeditate a punch against any defenseless shooter and only receive a flagrant one without further consequences."

Game Impact and Standings

Despite Green’s ejection, the Warriors managed to clinch a hard-fought victory. The win improved their record to 14-15, placing them in eighth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Suns hold a slightly better record at 15-13.

Key Takeaways

• Green’s Ejection: This marked Green’s first ejection of the season, adding to his career total of 21 in regular-season games.
• Team Dynamics: The incident reflects ongoing tensions as the Warriors seek to stabilize their season amid disputes with officiating and player conduct.

Conclusion

As the NBA season continues, the scrutiny of officiating and player behavior remains a heated topic of discussion. Draymond Green’s ejection exemplifies the complexities and challenges within the league, raising questions about fairness and consistency in officiating.

For more on NBA news and updates, visit the NBA official site and stay tuned for upcoming match analyses.