In a fiery matchup between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, the Warriors’ Draymond Green found himself in the spotlight following a controversial Flagrant 1 foul that resulted in his ejection. With the Rockets securing a crucial 106-96 victory, Green’s aggressive play and the subsequent foul call have sparked plenty of discussion.
Green’s actions in the third quarter, when he collided with Alperen Sengun on a forceful driving layup, led to the flagrant foul. The contact, deemed significant by the referees due to its impact on Sengun’s neck, resulted in Green’s ejection from the game after accumulating five personal fouls. However, Green has since expressed his thoughts on the call and the exchange between him and Sengun.
In a post-game interview, Green was asked about the sequence that led to the flagrant foul. “I don’t know what to do, don’t go for a layup?” he responded with a hint of frustration. “The tech – I’m not gonna stop because the referee says stop and give up position. I already give up six inches and 50 pounds, so it is what it is.”
Green’s comments reflect his frustration with the situation. Known for his intense playing style and competitive edge, he made it clear that he wasn’t backing down in the moment. His fiery demeanor is a hallmark of his leadership role on the Warriors, but this time it resulted in an early exit from a crucial game.
The Warriors, who had been riding a five-game winning streak, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game. Despite Green’s best efforts, Golden State couldn’t match Houston’s energy and execution. Stephen Curry, usually the focal point of the Warriors’ offense, was held to a season-low three points in the contest, shooting just 1-for-10 from the field. The Rockets’ defense, combined with Green’s ejection, made it nearly impossible for Golden State to mount a serious comeback.
In the aftermath of the game, Green turned his attention to his team’s overall performance. “Just got to take better care of the ball,” Green said, noting that turnovers allowed the Rockets to capitalize on transition opportunities. “They struggle to score in the half court a bit, so when you give them run-out layups, it makes anybody tough to guard.”
The Rockets, led by Dillon Brooks’ 24 points, dominated the game on both ends of the floor. Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Green added 21 points. The win helped Houston solidify its position in the Western Conference, where they now sit comfortably in second place.
The loss for Golden State, however, is a setback as they aim to maintain their playoff positioning. Green’s ejection in the third quarter certainly didn’t help matters, but the Warriors’ overall struggles throughout the game were the main contributors to the defeat.
For Draymond Green, the flagrant foul and the ejection were just another part of the intense and emotional nature of playoff-type games. He made it clear that he wouldn’t back down from his style of play, despite the controversial call.
As the Warriors look to bounce back, it’s clear that the road to the playoffs will require a more disciplined approach, especially against a team as young and dynamic as the Rockets.
