The NBA has issued an indefinite suspension to Golden State Warriors’ starting forward, Draymond Green, following his recent on-court incident involving Suns center Jusuf Nurkic. Green, who previously served a five-game suspension in November for an incident with Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, faces a unique form of punishment that requires him to address certain challenges before returning to play.
Details of the Suspension:
- Indefinite Suspension: The NBA announced an indefinite suspension for Draymond Green, signaling that there is no predetermined duration for his punishment. Instead, the suspension is contingent on Green fulfilling specific league and team conditions.
- Practice Allowance: Despite the suspension, Green is permitted to continue practicing with the team. However, he will not receive pay during the suspension period.
- Counseling Initiation: Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Dec. 18 that Green has commenced counseling as part of the suspension requirements. The counseling is expected to continue for at least the next three weeks.
- Potential Return Date: The earliest possible return date for Green is Wednesday, Jan. 10, which marks the Warriors‘ game against the New Orleans Pelicans. While reinstatement for that game remains uncertain, Green will have missed 13 games by that point.
Suspended Indefinitely Explained:
- Undefined Duration: An indefinite suspension implies that the duration is unspecified and tied to Green’s fulfillment of certain conditions. It is not linked to a specific number of games, days, or weeks.
- Path of Counseling: Discussions between Green, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., and agent Rich Paul will determine a path of counseling and assistance for Green. The suspension allows flexibility for Green to address the challenges he faces.
- Progress and Rehabilitation: NBA executive VP Joe Dumars emphasized that the league’s goal is to witness Green’s progress and improvement without setting a specific timeframe. The suspension aims to provide Green the necessary support and time to address any challenges he is experiencing.
Reason for Suspension:
- On-Court Incident: Draymond Green was suspended for striking Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during a game. The NBA’s official release noted that the suspension takes into account Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts, including the recent incident with Nurkic.
- Repeat Unsportsmanlike Acts: The suspension considers Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike behavior, contributing to the decision for an indefinite suspension.
The NBA has opted for a unique and flexible approach, focusing on Green’s rehabilitation and well-being rather than imposing a fixed penalty. The league aims to provide support for Green to overcome any challenges he faces, promoting his return as a positive and productive player for the Warriors.
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