'No excuse': NBA playoffs rocked by 'utterly ridiculous' controversy
The NBA world has reacted with shock after Warriors star Draymond Green was ejected from Game 1 against Memphis after an innocuous foul.
Klay Thompson hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left which proved decisive in Memphis on Sunday night while Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 31 points off the bench, hitting five of 10 3-pointers.
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Stephen Curry added 24 points, Andrew Wiggins had 17 and Thompson finished with 15 in the Warriors' 11-7-116 win.
However, the biggest talking point from the game was the controversial ejection of Green for a flagrant 2 foul.
With Memphis up by one, Green pulled the jersey of Brandon Clarke as he drove towards the basket.
Clarke fell hard, but Green did his best to help his rival on his way down.
Despite Green's efforts, he was quickly ejected from the game.
The centre made a point to the officials, as he left for the tunnel, as he goaded the crowd and applauded his teammates.
Draymond Green was ejected for this flagrant 2 foul. pic.twitter.com/QPYnODEXt1
β ESPN (@espn) May 1, 2022
NBA world reacts to Draymond Green's ejection
Despite the theatre, many critics couldn't believe Green had been handed a flagrant 2 foul for the jersey tug.
Sports commentator Stephen A.Smith was one that labelled the decision to eject Green as 'ridiculous'.
βI think thatβs an utterly ridiculous decision by the officiating crew ... I mean, itβs a damn shame that this happened," he said.
βIf you want to give him a tech, fine. He clearly tried to hold the person up, okay? Youβre making a defensive play, it happens.
βTo have the guy ejected and compromise the potential outcome and leave us in a position where weβre talking about the ejection instead of two high end competitors going after it, I think this tarnishes the level of competition that was out there today.
βThereβs no excuse for this decision as far as Iβm concerned. It was just utterly egregious.β
Fans on social media were also dumbfounded at the decision.
There's no way Draymond Green should be ejected for that.
That is one of the worst calls I've ever seen in an NBA playoff game.β Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) May 1, 2022
The weirdest part is Draymond Green had zero fouls before that play.
β Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) May 1, 2022
Draymond Green gets ejected for a grab and yank of Brandon Clarke's jersey. Warriors bench is stunned. Steph Curry to the referees: "That's f****** crazy." They thought it'd be a flagrant 1 maximum.
β Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 1, 2022
Man , things have changed. Back in the day , the foul that @Money23Green committed , would have been 2 frees throws ONLY ππ€£π #NBAPlayoffs
β James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) May 1, 2022
I still canβt believe that CALL on @Money23Green! Trying to do the right thing! If that was blatant his face would have hit the floor! #REFSSUCK
β Mary B (@BabersGreen) May 1, 2022
The Grizzlies came in leading the NBA in the fourth period with an average of 33 points and outscoring opponents by 10.3 points a game.
This time, they could only match the Warriors point for point in that period.
The Warriors mixed up their lineup, benching Poole in favour of Gary Payton II to focus on defending Morant, the Grizzlies' All-Star point guard and the NBA's Most Improved Player this season.
with AAP
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