Draymond Green has been suspended without pay for Game 3 of the Warriors' first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings after he stepped on the chest of Kings center Domantas Sabonis in Game 2, the NBA announced Tuesday.
In a statement released by executive vice president and head of basketball Operations Joe Dumars, the forward was suspended "based in part on Green's history of unsportsmanlike acts."
Earlier Tuesday, Shams Charania of 'The Athletic' reported that "it is looking unlikely" that Green would be suspended.
Charania followed up on his report after the league announced its decision, saying that "most around the Warriors and the situation Tuesday believed [he would only be fined]."
Golden State trails 2-0 in the best-of-seven series for the first time in Stephen Curry's career with the Warriors.
With just over seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter of the Kings' 114-106 win Monday night, Sabonis hit the floor after jostling for an offensive rebound. Sabonis landed on Green's right foot and held onto it to prevent a fastbreak the other way. As Green pulled his leg away from Sabonis' grasp, he stepped on the big man's chest.
Officials initially called Green for a technical foul but upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected him. Sabonis was assessed a technical foul for his role in the incident.
After the game, Green gave his side of what had transpired on the play.
"I got to land my foot somewhere, and I'm not the most flexible person. So it's not stretching that far," Green said.
When asked if he saw that he was about to step on Sabonis, Green said, "I can only step so far when pulling my leg away, so it is what it is."
After officials reviewed the play, crew chief Zach Zarba informed Green that he had "stomped too hard" on Sabonis' chest and was being ejected.
"Zach [Zarba] was clearly watching my leg get held this game and let it go. I guess ankle grabbing is okay," Green added.
Green, 33, has been called for six flagrant fouls and 27 technical fouls in 147 career playoff games.