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Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz, marking his 24th career suspension and 22nd of the regular season. It was also his second in the last eight games.
The penalty was given after Green played defense on Utah’s Kyle Filipowski, who made a drawing to a nearby referee and called for a three-second violation to be called against Green. Green then let out an angry yell after the Jazz scored, drawing a technical foul.
After the whistle, Green approached referee Kevin Cutler and appeared to loudly taunt the referee. Another technical foul was assessed shortly after that prank and Green was out of the game.
Green’s teammates and coach Steve Kerr defended the oft-ostracized player after the game.
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Draymond Green (23) of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 9, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
“I didn’t hear what he said, but it was a quick one,” Kerr told reporters. “I know he got the T right away and then Kevin (Cutler) threw him almost right away. So I don’t know what he said, but I’m assuming it was something Kevin just didn’t want to listen to. So I don’t know more about it than that.”
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Kerr added that the team “needs” Green on the field.
“We need Draymond and I want him out there,” Kerr said. “So I think he can be up to about nine technicians. We’re not halfway through the season yet, so there’s a long way to go and we need him.”
Warriors superstar Steph Curry suggested Green’s actions did not warrant the ejection.
“I don’t know what he said to the ref,” Curry said. “But I didn’t think it was – the consensus in the dressing room was that there wasn’t enough to be sent off.”
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green yells at the referee during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in San Francisco (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
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The Warriors won the game 123-114 to improve to 19-17.
Green and Kerr previously got into a heated incident on the bench during their game against the Orlando Magic in December.
