Warriors' Draymond Green to Miss Battle vs Suns After Suspension

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are set to battle the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 22, and a pivotal piece to the puzzle won't be available for Steve Kerr's squad.

Draymond Green has been suspended five games for his involvement in a brawl between the Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week.

Draymond Green should be suspended. This is the type behavior the NBA should be punishing. Not players flexing after a poster dunk. pic.twitter.com/RzeALrNj55
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 15, 2023

Full statement from the NBA

"Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended five games without pay for escalating an on-court altercation and forcibly grabbing Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert around the neck in an unsportsmanlike and dangerous manner, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

"The length of the suspension is based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.

"In addition, Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels and center Rudy Gobert have each been fined $25,000 for their roles in the incident, which started when Thompson and McDaniels became entangled and were grabbing and pulling at one another’s jerseys, and continued when Gobert entered the situation and wrapped up Thompson.

"Thompson and McDaniels were each assessed a technical foul and ejected, while Green was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected.

"The incident occurred with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter of the Timberwolves’ 104-101 win over the Warriors on Nov. 14 at Chase Center. Green will begin serving his five-game suspension on Thursday, November 16 when the Warriors host the Oklahoma City Thunder."

The Warriors will be without Green for matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder (2x), Houston Rockets, Phoenix and San Antonio Spurs.

The Suns don't play Golden State far after Green can return from suspension, as just three games separate Green's return (Tuesday Nov. 28) and the following Suns-Warriors matchup on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The Suns previously defeated Golden State in a 108-104 opening night battle. Green did not play due to a left ankle sprain.