Warriors dealt massive blow as Shams Charania reports Draymond Green is suspended for Game 3 against the Kings

Draymond Green was ejected in Game 2 of the series between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. The Warriors' starting forward stomped on Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who was on the ground holding onto Green's leg.

Shams Charania reported that the NBA decided to suspend Green for a game due to his history of unsportsmanlike conduct.

"NBA ultimately decided on suspending Green for Game 3 of Warriors-Kings due to his history of unsportsmanlike plays, league says. Most around Warriors and the situation Tuesday believed a fine was coming, but the star forward will serve his suspension in a pivotal game."

Green, in a postgame interview, called out the referees for allowing the Kings players to grab his leg.

“My leg got grabbed. Second time in two nights. Referees just watch it. I gotta land my foot somewhere and I’m not the most stretchable person, so I’m not stretching that far. I can only step so far before pulling my leg away.

“It was [Malik] Monk last game, right along the baseline under the rim. You wanna stop it? [Referee] John Goble was looking at Monk holding my leg the last game and he just let it go. And clearly was watching my leg got held this game and let it go. I guess ankle-grabbing is okay.”

Domantas Sabonis underwent tests to determine if he had any injuries after the incident. The result did not bode well for the Sacramento Kings:

Shams Charania said Sabonis suffered a sternum contusion and could miss Game 3.

"Kings say Domantas Sabonis has suffered a sternum contusion and is questionable for Game 3 vs. Warriors."

Draymond Green, on the other hand, reportedly had X-rays on his right ankle after it felt sore:

Draymond Green will miss another crucial playoff game due to suspension

Draymond Green's list of playoff suspensions has been growing. This latest suspension could not have come at a worse time as the Golden State Warriors are facing a 0-2 series deficit.

The Warriors had never previously lost their first two games in a playoff series in the Steph Curry era. They will find it even more difficult in Game 3 without Green in the lineup.

This season, Golden State won 56.2% of its games with the charismatic forward playing, while 33.3% of its losses were without him.

Additionally, Draymond Green has led the team in assists, blocks and +/- this season per StatMuse.

In Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals, the four-time NBA champ was forced to sit out due to an accumulation of technical fouls. Without him, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers won the game to cut the series lead to 3-2.

The Cavaliers went on to win the next two games to pull off probably the greatest comeback in sports history. To this day, many basketball experts have pointed to Draymond Green's suspension as the turning point in that series.

"Dray" admitted that the Warriors' 0-2 hole will be difficult to overcome. His team will have to try to cut that deficit without him in the lineup in Game 3.

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You may also want to read: “Referees just watch it” - Draymond Green says this was not the first time a Sacramento Kings player has grabbed his leg