SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected from Thursday night’s game against the New York Knicks after appearing to yell at rookie teammate James Wiseman.
Green, who picked up his first technical of the game with 4 minutes, 2 seconds left in the first quarter after arguing too long with the officials, picked up his second technical with 1:04 left in the second quarter after turning the ball over on a pass directed to Wiseman.
On his way back down the floor, Green’s voice boomed through a near-empty Chase Center as he appeared to be airing out his frustration at the rookie. When the whistle was blown and Green was assessed his second technical, Warriors coach Steve Kerr and several members of his staff tried to explain to the officiating crew that Green’s ire was directed at the rookie center. But after listening to Green bark at various points throughout the night, hearing his frustration one more time apparently was enough, in the officials’ minds, to warrant an ejection.
Green pointed to Wiseman and tried to explain what had happened as Warriors star guard Stephen Curry pleaded his own case, but after a few more seconds, Green walked back to the Warriors’ bench and high-fived teammates on his way back to the locker room. Wiseman dejectedly walked to the other end of the floor after the whistle blew before realizing Green had been ejected.
Green has repeatedly praised the 19-year-old for the talent he’s shown throughout various points in the season, but his propensity for getting upset at the rookie has been clear at different points in games. The same kind of exchange happened after a Green turnover in Wednesday night’s win over the San Antonio Spurs; Green yelled at Wiseman that he wasn’t in the right position on the floor.
“I still got to gain my respect,” Wiseman said during a videoconference with reporters, explaining why he didn’t feel comfortable going back at Green at this point in his career. “So I’m not saying nothing else back. I’m just saying ‘OK,’ and I’m going to just get better at it. So that’s what I do. I don’t say nothing else.”