Warriors' Draymond Green after Game 1 ejection: 'I'll never change the way I play'

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is a flagrant foul or two away from being suspended for a playoff game, but don't expect that to mean he'll dial back his intensity anytime soon.

"I am never going to change the way I play basketball," Green said Monday, via ESPN. "It's gotten me this far. Gotten me three championships, four All-Stars, Defensive Player of the Year. I'm not going to change now."

Green, 32, was controversially ejected in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinals series against the Memphis Grizzlies when officials determined he hit Brandon Clarke in the face and pulled him down by his jersey. While many criticized the call, the NBA stood by the call Monday and opted against reducing the foul to a flagrant 1.

That means Green would receive an automatic ejection if he picks up two more flagrant points, via one flagrant 2 or two flagrant 1 fouls. In 2016, Green missed Game 5 of the NBA Finals after accruing four flagrant points during the NBA Playoffs.

Green missed significant time during the 2021-22 regular season due to a back injury, and averaged 7.5 points, 7.0 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in 46 games played. After losing Green late in the first half Sunday, the Warriors still managed to rally from a halftime deficit to beat the Grizzlies, 117-116.