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The referees mistakenly ejected Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green in the second quarter of their 119-104 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday. The Warriors were baffled after the refs issued Green's second technical foul of the night. The former Defensive Player of the Year was shouting expletives as he went back on defense following a Golden State turnover.
Referee John Butler thought Green directed the tirade towards him, and gave the Dubs' outspoken leader the technical. Apparently, Green was shouting at rookie James Wiseman for their previous miscue on offense. This year's no. 2 overall pick spoke about the ejection and admitted he was confused as the events transpired near the end of the first half.
Via Anthony Slater of The Athletic:
Wiseman on Draymond getting tossed for yelling at him: "I was trying to get a post up and he threw it early. He was like 'catch the ball' or something like that…I guess that's basketball. I was confused myself…I don't know why the ref did that. I don't know."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 22, 2021
We're all just as confused as you are, James.
The Warriors tried to explain to the referees that Green was shouting at Wiseman. However, this is the NBA and the officials won't change their minds just like that.
Ben Taylor, the lead official of the three-man crew that called a mind-boggling 55 fouls in the game, admitted during the intermission that Butler made a mistake. Unfortunately, Green had already been tossed and could not return to the game.
The league will surely rescind Green's technical, but the damage has already been done. The Warriors sorely missed their veteran leader throughout the second half. Without Green directing traffic on offense, and calling out defensive schemes and making the right rotations on defense, Golden State struggled on both ends of the floor.
The Dubs will look to bounce back as they visit the Utah Jazz on Saturday.