Draymond Green was in danger of being ejected from Game 2 after getting tangled up with Jaylen Brown just before halftime.
In the second quarter, Green fouled Brown on a 3-point attempt, which caused both players to fall to the floor. While on the ground, the Warriors big man kept his feet on Brown and also nudged him in the back.
This angered Brown, so he confronted Green. The pair exchanged words as tempers began to flare.
Draymond Green and Jaylen Brown had to be separated after this interaction. pic.twitter.com/pyEdSepMjV
— ESPN (@espn) June 6, 2022
The officials reviewed the play to see if any technical fouls needed to be assessed. Green already picked up a technical earlier in the game and another one would’ve ejected him from the game. However, the officials opted not to give him a second.
According to Steve Javie, former NBA official and current rule analyst on ESPN, the officials could’ve called technicals on both players but officials took into consideration Green’s first technical and decided that he shouldn’t get another because of it.
Green’s non-ejection was key to Golden State’s Game 2 victory as his versatile play was invaluable to the Warriors. He finished the game with nine points, five rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block in close to 35 minutes.
“It’s the NBA finals. Like I said, I wear my badge of honor,” Green said postgame.
“It’s not that I’m saying they necessarily treat me different. I’ve earned differential treatment. I enjoy that. I embrace that.”
Draymond Green technical fouls in playoffs
Green has four technical fouls in 18 games this postseason.
How many technical fouls before suspension in NBA playoffs
In the playoffs, a player receives a warning once they amass five technical fouls. If they reach seven, it becomes an automatic one-game suspension, plus a $5,000 fine.
Draymond Green technical foul history in playoffs
Green, infamously was suspended for Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals after getting tangled up with LeBron James in a similar incident as the Cavaliers went on to complete a 3-1 series comeback and win the championship.