Draymond Green’s ejection early in the second half of the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night proved to be a rallying point for the team, as they overcame a 17-point deficit to secure a 116-113 victory.
Green was ejected two minutes into the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls, one for grabbing Suns center Khaman Maluach and throwing him to the ground, and another for his confrontation with Dillon Brooks that ensued. Despite his early exit, which brings him closer to a one-game suspension for accumulating technical fouls, Green’s teammates saw his actions as a spark.
"He lit a fire in all of us, and we had to respond. So I’m glad we did," said Stephen Curry. "He’s one of those games, most of the guys on the back to back, Phoenix had been off for a couple days, they started 1-3 and [we] knew they were gonna come out playing desperate."
Guard Brandin Podziemski, who finished with 20 points, stated, "I loved it. It fueled our team. We didn’t have that edge to start the game… It helped."
Before Green's ejection, the Warriors trailed the Suns 68-57. In the immediate aftermath, Golden State went on a run, tying the score at 73 and never again falling behind by more than six points. The Suns adjusted by going with a smaller lineup, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr noted that this change "opened up the game a little bit."
Despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back and facing a well-rested Suns team, the Warriors found the energy to complete the comeback. The win marked Golden State’s eighth game of the season, while it was only the fifth for Phoenix.