How many times has Draymond Green been suspended on his career? How much has he payed on fines?
No stranger to sanctions and suspensions, the Warriors’ big man has a habit of running afoul of the rules. If his team is to progress he’ll have to keep things in check.
Only three games into the first round of the playoffs and the Warriors’ player has already found himself at the center of controversy and serving a suspension for it. Yet, just how many times has Golden State’s big man found himself disciplined by the league and how much has he paid in fines as a result of it? Let’s take a look.
A look back at Draymond Green’s suspensions
2023 Playoffs - Game 3 vs Sacramento Kings
Before we begin, let’s start with his most recent transgression which came in the form of a very costly step during Game 3 of the Warriors opening round playoff series against the Kings. Indeed, it was the fourth quarter of what turned out to be a loss for Golden State, when Green was ejected for his part in an altercation with Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis. Following a moment in which both players were entangled, Sabonis elected to hold on to Green’s leg in the backcourt. At that point, the Warriors forward stomped on Sabonis’ chest in an apparent effort to break free. The result was his second flagrant foul and his marching order. The league later announced that Green would be suspended for one game - Game 3.
2016 NBA Finals - Game 5 vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Perhaps the most famous of Green’s suspensions, this is the one that most feel cost the Warriors an NBA championship. The moment itself occured during Game 4 when Green and Cavs star LeBron James got tied up at halfcourt. As James tried to step over Green, the latter extended his arm which in turn made contact with James’ groin area. Incidentally, Green was initially called for a double foul, but reviews of the play later resulted in a flagrant foul. Due to three previous flagrant fouls during those same playoffs, Green was suspended. From there the LeBron and Co overturned a 3-1 deficit to win the title in San Francisco.
2018-2019 - Fight with Kevin Durant
Not just one to get into it with opposing players, this time Green had it out with then teammate, Kevin Durant. It was the last few seconds of a regular season game against the Clippers, when Green grabbed a rebound. Durant, who was ahead of him called for the ball, only to find himself being ignored by Green who then chose to drive up court and into traffic where he lost the ball. The result was a Warriors loss and a verbal exchange between the pair, which in turn extended into the locker room after the game. So heated was the incident, that both men have since acknowledged it as a major contributing factor toward Durant’s eventual departure.
2022-2023 - Punched Jordan Poole
Ahead of this season, basketball fans were given shocking news when reports confirmed that Green had in fact punched his teammate, Jordan Poole. As footage of the incident made the rounds on social media, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t just a verbal spat, or even a bit of shoving. Indeed, many were prepared for a severe punishment to be handed out. In the end, Green was asked to step away from the team for a few days and fined, such that he was even able to play in the Warriors’ final preseason game, before being named on the roster for their opening game of the season.
2022-2023 - Technical foul limit
You will recall a few months ago when Green was forced to serve a one-game suspension for having received his 16th technical foul of the season. In case you didn’t know, NBA rules state that any player or coach who receives his 16th technical foul during the season will be automatically suspended for one game without pay. For every two additional technical fouls thereafter, the individual will be suspended for an additional game without pay. It was during the Warriors loss to the Clippers on March 15th, when Green picked up his 16th and therefore was not available for the team’s clash with the Hawks just two days later, a game they also lost.
Just how much has Draymond Green paid in fines?
As you can probably guess by now, Draymond Green has some disciplinary issues. Truth be told, we’ve only covered the suspensions but there are a number of other controversial plays for which he has been penalized over the years. In total, the Warriors big man has registered some 163 technical fouls in his time in the league and as a result has paid out an eye opening $1,260,100 in fines during that period.