Warriors forward Draymond Green will not be suspended for his actions against Oklahoma City center Steven Adams in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday night, the NBA announced Monday evening.
Green kicked Adams in the crotch on a second-quarter shot attempt and was assessed a Flagrant Foul 1. The league upon review of video and interviewing the principals, upgraded the call to a Flagrant Foul 2, which will be accompanied by a $25,000 fine, based on the results of an inquiry led by vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe.
"After a thorough investigation that included review of all available video angles and interviews with the players involved and the officials working the game, we have determined that Green’s foul was unnecessary and excessive and warranted the upgrade and fine," VanDeWeghe said in statement.
"During a game, players – at times – flail their legs in an attempt to draw a foul," VanDeWeghe continued, "but Green’s actions in this case warranted an additional penalty."
The Warriors seemed confident prior to their morning practice, perhaps because they truly believed Green meant no ill will. Or maybe they anticipated the league would consider the impact a suspension would have on the conference finals.
"I’m not braced for the worst," Green said Monday morning.
"You watch this league, people flail all the time trying to draw fouls," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "In my opinion – and I've seen Draymond do this a lot – he goes up, he gets bumped. It was a minor foul. Adams kind of hit him here. He tried to sell it. He kicked his leg up. To me it's no different from (Oklahoma guard Russell) Westbrook kicking his legs out on the threes when he feels like there's contact. Guys do it to try to sell the contact."
