The NBA has suspended Golden State forward Draymond Green for five games without pay for «escalating an on-court altercation» against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the league announced Wednesday.
Green, one of three players ejected after a fight during Tuesday's in-season tournament game against Minnesota, also was suspended for «forcibly grabbing» Rudy Gobert around the neck «in an unsportsmanlike and dangerous manner,» NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars said in a statement.
Dumars said Green's history of unsportsmanlike conduct played a role in the length of the suspension.
Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels were also ejected for their roles in the incident.
Green will miss two games against Oklahoma City in addition to games against Houston, Phoenix and an in-season tournament game against San Antonio as a result of the suspension.
Thompson, McDaniels and Gobert were all fined $25,000 for their roles in the fracas.
Just 100 seconds into Tuesday's game, McDaniels and Thompson got tied up with each other in transition, as Thompson held McDaniels' jersey while he waited for a long rebound. McDaniels grabbed Thompson and both refused to let go as they moved down the court.
They began to swing each other around and push, resulting in McDaniels ripping Thompson's jersey and Thompson swinging his arm at McDaniels.
As other players rushed toward the two, Green put Gobert in a headlock. Coaches and players forced Green off Gobert as others separated McDaniels and Thompson. After a review, McDaniels and Thompson were assessed two technical fouls each and Green was given a flagrant foul 2.
Gobert said he got involved to «de-escalate the situation.» When Green grabbed him, Gobert threw up his hands to avoid making matters
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