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Draymond Green suspended – what does it mean for the Golden State Warriors?

By Peter O'Keefe

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors steps over Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. Green was issued a flagrant foul 2 on the play, and ejected from the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors steps over Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. Green was issued a flagrant foul 2 on the play, and ejected from the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have been has dealt a major blow with Draymond Green officially suspended for Game 3 of their first-round series against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on Thursday.

The veteran forward has been cited for his altercation with Kings center Domantas Sabonis during the fourth-quarter of Monday’s Game 2. The unusual play, beginning with Sabonis grabbing Green’s ankle and ending with the four-time champion stomping on his opponent, has garnered huge reaction and debate on social media.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has a huge challenge on his hands dealing with the loss of Draymond Green ahead of Game 3 on their home floor.

Green was ejected after being assessed a flagrant two foul on the play, while Sabonis was given a technical foul. The 33-year-old’s suspension still comes as a surprise after The Athletic’s Shams Charania earlier reported it was looking ‘unlikely’.

Along with the ultimate decision, the NBA’s choice to take into account previous instances is sure to gain attention and conversation. As part of their press release, the league said “the suspension was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.”

What does it mean for the Warriors? The immediate question is who will replace Green in the starting lineup? You can almost guarantee that will be Gary Payton II, who may have started anyway but in place of Kevon Looney.

The next question is how will Golden State find minutes at center when Looney is off the floor? Firstly, it puts pressure on the starting center to not get into foul trouble, with Looney potentially needing to play 35 minutes in order to guard Sabonis. With him off the floor, Kerr will have to reluctantly go to JaMychal Green for some brief stints. Green played 50 seconds in the first-half on Monday after Looney got into foul trouble.

With Draymond out, you can also expect to see more of Jonathan Kuminga after less than four minutes in Game 2. We’ll also see more of Moses Moody, with Kerr needing to ride whichever of his younger players better rises to the moment. You can almost be assured that Anthony Lamb will see the floor as well, and there’ll undoubtedly be times where he or Kuminga are used as small-ball centers.

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The fact is that no one will be able to replace the kind of defensive presence, experience and offensive playmaking that Green provides. The Warriors need to pray that one of JaMychal Green, Kuminga, Moody or Lamb can give the performance of their life, and that Stephen Curry and/or Klay Thompson can provide a patented shooting display that prevents them from sitting on the brink of elimination.

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