Draymond Green booed in return from suspension as Golden State Warriors fall to shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies
Draymond Green booed in return from suspension as Golden State Warriors fall to shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was jeered when he returned to the court on Monday, after missing more than a
month of play due to his most recent ban. The club lost 116-107 to the Memphis Grizzlies.
After hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in the face during a game on December 12, Green was given an indefinite suspension.
An NBA statement said that part of the suspension was “attributed to Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
The NBA lifted his ban earlier this month, but before making a comeback on Monday,
Green worked on his game fitness and conditioning.
Green came off the bench against the Grizzlies and received jeers from the Memphis crowd when he checked
into the game in the first quarter.
However, despite the former defensive player of the year making his comeback, the Warriors suffered a tough defeat against a
Grizzlies squad that has been ravaged by injuries.
Memphis entered Monday night’s matchup missing seven players, including star point guard Ja Morant who recently went down with
a season-ending shoulder injury, having only played nine games after returning from a 25-game suspension.
Memphis also made 20 triples to the Warriors’ 10 in the game and benefitted from a massive disparity in free throw shooting; Golden
State – which was additionally plagued by turnovers throughout – made nine of its 10 free throws while
the Grizzlies went 32-for-40 from the stripe.
“We played very poorly defensively, but a lot of that had to do with our offense,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game.
“Nineteen turnovers that turned into 30 points.”
With 24 points and seven rebounds, second-year forward Vince Williams led the Grizzlies in scoring. Off the bench, rookie forward GG
Jackson scored 23 points and pulled down six rebounds, while defensive player of the year winner Jaren Jackson Jr.
finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
“It’s merely an outcome of our growing culture,” Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins stated.
“We frequently discuss the cliche of the ‘next man up’ approach.
“I adore these guys’ fierce competition.”
With 26 points and eight assists, two-time MVP Steph Curry led the way for the Warriors. Forwards Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan
Kuminga added 20 and 16 points apiece.
Green had seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in his return.
It was another disappointing loss for the Warriors, who have had their rotation bolstered by Green but are without Chris Paul and
Gary Payton II. The Dubs are now 18-22 after a lackluster first half of the season and sit 12th in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies are one spot behind at 15-25 as they navigate life without Morant for the rest of the campaign.
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