Warriors' Green Avoids Suspension For Groin Kick On Thunder's Adams; Fined $25K
OKLAHOMA CITY (CBS SF) -- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will not be suspended for kicking Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams during Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals.
The NBA released a statement Monday afternoon saying Green's flagrant foul on Adams was upgraded to a Flagrant Foul 2, and that Green would be fined $25,000.
Sports reporter Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the league would not suspend Green for Game 4 of the conference finals.
Green's kicked Adams as they battled for the ball in the second quarter of the Warriors Game 3 loss to the Thunder Sunday night. Green also kneed Adams in the groin during play in Game 2 of the series.
Though the Thunder felt it was intentional, Green and Warriors coach Steve Kerr said they believed the flagrant would actually be rescinded by the league.
NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Kiki VanDeWeghe disagreed.
"After a thorough investigation that included review of all available video angles and interviews with the players involved and the officials working the game, we have determined that Green's foul was unnecessary and excessive and warranted the upgrade and fine," VanDeWeghe said in a statement.
"During a game, players — at times — flail their legs in an attempt to draw a foul, but Green's actions in this case warranted an additional penalty."
The NBA determines a flagrant 1 foul to include "unnecessary contact." A flagrant 2 is defined as "unnecessary and excessive contact."
Green now has three flagrant foul points during the postseason. One more will force him to miss Golden State's next game.
Green was an All-Star and the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, but had a dismal game as Oklahoma City took a 2-1 lead. He was 1 for 9 from the field with six points and the Warriors were outscored by 43 points when he was on the court.
Adams' teammate Russell Westbrook said he believed Green kicked Adams intentionally.
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