In the aftermath of Draymond Green striking Jusuf Nurkić in the head during Tuesday’s game, the buzz surrounding a lengthy potential suspension for the Warriors forward has picked up steam. While the play itself led to a flagrant two and Green getting ejected from the game, Stephen A. Smith believes it’s Nurkić’s comments after the game from that might doom Green in the end.
“They are going to bring the hammer down,” Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take. “The worst thing that could have possibly happened, believe it or not, was that sound from Nurkić. When a player sits there and says, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with him.’ They’re trying to imply you have a problem, and there’s nobody in the position to disagree with Nurkić. He’s the one that got hit.
.@stephenasmith says "the worst thing" to happen to Draymond Green was Jusuf Nurkic sharing his thoughts on the incident during postgame. pic.twitter.com/sKDDzI8mm7
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 13, 2023
Nurkić was blunt about the situation, stating that it had nothing to do with basketball and that Green “needs help.”
Mannix: Draymond Green Still Hasn’t Learned His Lesson, and It Could Cost Golden State Its Season
Nurkic: "What’s going on with him, I don’t know. Personally, I feel like that brother needs help. I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me."
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 13, 2023
Draymond: "I don't think I'm an accurate enough puncher to do a full 360 and connect with someone." pic.twitter.com/Rlpmb1Vcy5
All eyes will be on the NBA now to see what they opt to do regarding potential discipline for Green. It seems highly likely that the Golden State forward will hear from the league sooner than later.
