Draymond Green returns to court against Grizzlies after serving 'indefinite' suspension
Golden State forward Draymond Green has returned to action after missing 16 games as part of a league suspension for striking Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during a Dec. 12 game
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Golden State forward Draymond Green returned to action Monday after missing 16 games as part of a league suspension for his history of misconduct, the action coming after he struck Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during a Dec. 12 game.
Green didn't start the game, but entered with 6:10 left in the first quarter. His appearance drew a hearty set of boos from the Memphis faithful. There was a smaller than usual crowd at the game as the city dealt with about a half-foot of snow and temperatures in the teens.
Monday's appearance was Green's first action since the Dec. 12 game in which he spun around and struck Nurkic in the face. Green was assessed a Flagrant 2, which led to his ejection in the third quarter.
That blow led the league to hand down an indefinite suspension of Green on Dec. 14. League officials said the punishment was for the defensive stalwart's “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” The ejection for hitting Green in the face was his 18th, most among NBA players.
