Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was at the center of controversy yet again during a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, as he was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul and a technical foul in a fiery sequence in the fourth quarter. Following the game, Green didn’t hold back, directing sharp criticism at the officiating and accusing referees of bias.
“No, but it’s Draymond Green, that’s why it’s a flagrant foul. You know, it’s ironic? I said, uh, JK, clean elbow to the head.”Boom! I said, wow, that’s a review. I said, if I blow on someone, y’all review it. He’s like, aw! And there you have it. Who’s surprised?”
“I got a tech for Sam, boom! I say boom every time I make three. I got a tech saying boom. When did they become so above the law that you can’t say boom?”
The controversial moment unfolded early in the fourth quarter as Green attempted to defend Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey under the basket. While challenging a rebound, Green swiped at the ball but was called for a Flagrant 1 foul, which the officials ruled as unnecessary contact.
Draymond Green was assessed a flagrant 1 after this play on Zach Edey. pic.twitter.com/CsC53oru09
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 5, 2025
The call left Green visibly frustrated, and he sarcastically applauded as Edey stepped to the free-throw line. When Edey missed the first free throw, Green could be seen mouthing “Ball don’t lie,” a phrase he often uses to challenge referee decisions.
Draymond with the BALL DON’T LIE finger wag at Zach Edey pic.twitter.com/dPUhiEmwX4
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) January 5, 2025
Adding to the drama, Green nailed a three-pointer on the Warriors’ next possession and celebrated with his signature “Boom!” exclamation. However, the referees interpreted his celebration as taunting and quickly hit him with a technical foul, further escalating tensions.
In his post-game press conference, Green expressed his frustration with the officiating, suggesting that his reputation influenced the calls.
He highlighted what he believed was inconsistency in the calls, referencing a previous play where teammate Jonathan Kuminga was hit with an elbow to the head that went unreviewed.
Green’s tumultuous relationship with referees is well-documented, and his reputation as an emotional and vocal player has often placed him under a microscope. Critics argue that Green’s history of on-court antics contributes to the scrutiny, but the Warriors star insists that he is officiated unfairly compared to other players.
The lack of a pool report from referees after the game added to the frustration for Green and the Warriors. The absence of clarity on the decisions further fueled speculation about whether Green’s reputation played a role in the calls.
Despite the distractions, the Warriors managed to secure a victory, with Lindy Waters and Andrew Wiggins stepping up in key moments. However, Green’s technical foul and the free throws awarded to the Grizzlies highlighted how officiating can influence the flow of the game.
As the NBA reviews the game tape, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if the league takes any action regarding Green’s flagrant foul or his comments about the referees. For Green, however, this episode is just another chapter in his ongoing battle with the league’s officials.
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