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Draymond Green Suspended Indefinitely For Punching Jusuf Nurkic
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Draymond Green is having the worst season of his career, as he has received his second suspension in a month. Green punched Jusuf Nurkic during the Warriors' loss to the Suns and was ejected from the game. The NBA isn't sitting idle and has responded by suspending Green indefinitely.

"Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. This outcome takes into account Green's repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts... Green's suspension will begin immediately. He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play." 

This was one of the many incidents Green has been a part of in the last month. Throughout this season, Draymond has played rough with Terance Mann, choked Rudy Gobert, and viciously trash-talked Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen. The league had to step in at some points and they've finally made Green face severe consequences for his violent play on the court.

Green is required to go through counseling and prove to the NBA he has taken adequate steps to return to the court. 

"Draymond Green, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Green’s agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports are expected to meet Thursday to start discussing a path of counseling and help for Green to move forward, sources said. The league didn’t want to put a specific number on the suspension, but allowed Green to take the time he might need to deal with challenges he’s facing."

The Warriors are 10-13 to start the season and cannot afford for Green to be gone for another 15-20 games. Any hopes of contention for Golden State have to be dashed, especially with the team looking really bad and now missing their defensive anchor, Green. 

Draymond Green Says He Didn't Punch Jusuf Nurkic Intentionally 

We have already had Green react to his actions in the post-game press conference from last night's game. Green apologized to Nurkic while claiming he accidentally punched Nurkic, hoping to sell a call.

"He was pulling my hip and I was swinging away to sell the call and made contact with him. I'm not one to apologize for things I meant to do but I will apologize to Jusuf because I didn't intend to hit him. I sell calls with my arms... I'm not a flopper. I was just selling the call because he was grabbing me and pulling my hip back."

Intentional or not, the fact that this incident is one with Draymond Green meant that the league had to punish it. They have to send a message to a repeat offender like Green, or else other NBA teams will also start asking their player to be rougher and use Green as an example as to why that's allowed.

Steve Kerr, please get a grip on your players. It seems the Warriors coach can't influence the locker room as he used to, proven by his repeated failure to manage Green's behavior which has once again, hurt the competitive prospects of the Warriors.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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