Klay Thompson Steps in As Draymond Green, Jusuf Nurkić Engage in Another Heated Moment
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkić got tangled up early in the Golden State Warriors’ matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
The last time this happened, of course, Green was suspended indefinitely for striking Nurkić in the face.
Warriors teammate Klay Thompson wasn’t about to watch that happen twice.
After Nurkić received the basketball in the post, he dribbled once and pushed his body into Green, who stood between him and the basket. Green was called for a personal foul, and the two players exchanged words in the paint.
Insert Thompson. The 34-year-old guard ended the heated moment by slapping the basketball away from Nurkić. He was whistled for a technical foul, but it prevented the situation from escalating any further.
Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic going at it early ????
— ESPN (@espn) February 11, 2024
???? ABC pic.twitter.com/qs30y7V3PW
Draymond vs Nurkic ???? pic.twitter.com/To0sCyYooJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 11, 2024
As a result of Green striking Nurkić back in December, the Warriors forward missed 16 games—12 while suspended and an additional four while working his way back to game shape.
In nine contests since he returned to the court Jan. 24, Green entered Saturday’s game averaging 7.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 29.7 minutes.
Green tallied seven points and six assists against the Suns in the first half Saturday. At the break, the Warriors led Phoenix 59–58.