Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green received two late technical fouls during Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets, resulting in his ejection. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI |
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Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said All-Star forward Draymond Green "crossed the line" Saturday night when he was ejected in the closing seconds of the team's 102-100 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
The sequence that resulted in Green's ejection started with 9.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Warriors holding a slim 100-98 lead. Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball tied up Golden State guard Brad Wanamaker for a jump ball. Moments later, Hornets forward Gordon Hayward grabbed the ball off the tap and tumbled to the floor.
Green appeared to quickly tie up Hayward for another jump ball. The Hornets, however, were awarded a timeout, causing Green to argue with the officials.
Green was quickly assessed two technical fouls and ejected, giving the Hornets two free throws and possession of the ball. Hornets guard Terry Rozier went to the line and drained both attempts to tie the game.
Seconds later, Rozier sank a shot from the corner at the buzzer to secure the Hornets' last-second win over the Warriors.
"He crossed the line," Kerr said of Green. "That's the main thing. We love his passion and his energy. We would not be the team we are without him, but that doesn't give him license to cross that line, and he knows that.
"... Draymond can't do that. He knows that. He made a terrible mistake getting T'd up and giving them a chance to shoot two free throws and tie the game. ... As his coach, it's my job to communicate with him and with the team. That's what we've done, and that's what we'll continue to do."
Warriors forward Eric Paschall said Green took the blame after the game for his late technical fouls.
"He said it was his fault," Paschall said. "And he took ownership as he always does as a leader. We're still rocking with Dray no matter what. A great dude, competitor, so it's all good. [Expletive] happens in the NBA. We're just going to learn from it and try to come back, try to win the next one. Great leader and competitor."
The Warriors hold a 16-15 record this season and sit eighth in the Western Conference standings. Golden State is scheduled to play the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
