Why is Draymond Green suspended for playing against Atlanta Hawks? Looking at 4x NBA champion’s technical foul stats

The NBA has announced that Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will be suspended for Friday's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Green was called for his 16th technical foul of the season, which automatically suspended him for one game.

Green and the Warriors lost 134-126 to the LA Clippers on Wednesday night despite Steph Curry dropping 50 points. The 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year committed his technical foul after throwing the ball at Russell Westbrook late in the second quarter. Green also got into a heated verbal match with Marcus Morris Sr.

Golden State tried its best to slow down Los Angeles, but didn't have enough firepower outside of Curry. Green had eight points, eight rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes.

The defensive forward said this about his technical foul:

"I expect something to change. I got one tech this year because a ref yelled at me. I think something will change."

Getting technical fouls hasn't been new to Green, as he's had issues with some officials in previous seasons. But his unavailability for their next game could prove to be a huge issue for the team.

You might also be interested in reading: “Marcus Morris would evaporate Draymond Green” - Draymond Green’s fight with Marcus Morris leaves NBA fans in splits

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How will Draymond Green's absence affect the Warriors in their matchup against the Hawks?

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Draymond Green is one of the most important pieces of the Warriors' dynasty. His importance isn't just on the court, but he also provides leadership from the sidelines. Without him, Golden State could experience a plethora of problems in their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.

In Friday's game in Atlanta, the Warriors will have to do more on the defensive end without Green. The Warriors (36-34) have been a terrible road team this season, going 7-27, so the game could be a challenge. They have the sixth spot in the Western Conference, but could drop into the standings if they are unable to win on the road against Atlanta.

Even with Green, they've experienced some challenges that have hindered them from winning on the road. Now that they won't have their defensive anchor, the rest of the squad will have to do extra work on that end. On top of that, Andrew Wiggins hasn't been available for the team for weeks because of an undisclosed personal matter.