Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center.
Key Points
Kerr called the second technical "weak," comparing it to prior controversial league incidents.
The Golden State Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, but the focus was on Draymond Green’s early exit.
Green picked up his first technical for shoving Collin Gillespie from behind. Moments later, he received a second technical for continued arguing and was sent to the locker room.
Speaking to the media after the game, head coach Steve Kerr did not hide his frustration after Green was ejected just nine minutes into the game. Kerr labeled the second technical foul “weak” and questioned how similar situations have been handled around the league.
“[How] can you not be upset? I mean, this is a guy who broke Gary’s elbow in the playoffs, clotheslining him with one of the dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen,” Kerr said. “So it’s not like there’s not a track record there.
“And it’s right there. They look at it. I don’t know what the point of replay is if you’re not gonna kick a guy out for literally punching somebody. It’s bizarre to me that he was not, first of all, ejected from that game and then suspended or fined.
“Nothing. So apparently, you’re now allowed, this is my take, you are now allowed to premeditate a punch of any shooter who’s left, you know, like defenseless. You can now take a swing at him and know you’re just gonna get a flag or one. So I don’t know, maybe we’ll do that. (Pause) Probably not.”
Kerr also earned a technical foul while protesting the decision. Green finished with four points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block. He now has six technical fouls this season.
Despite the tension, Golden State closed out a 119-116 win. Steph Curry posted 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Jimmy Butler added 25 points and delivered key plays late. Curry scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and sealed the win at the free-throw line.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and moved Golden State to 14-15. The Warriors remain inconsistent but competitive.