Two games, two flagrant 2 foul calls. Unlike Draymond Green’s questionable ejection in Game 1, this one was never in doubt. Even the home Memphis crowd groaned upon watching the replays.
This time it was the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks getting ejected and Gary Payton II being dealt a potential injury. With the Warriors scuttling to start, down 8-0, Draymond Green found a slashing Payton II who was smacked across the head by Brooks.
Payton II fell hard on his left arm awkwardly and was on the floor in pain for a few minutes. Brooks was quickly ejected and Payton II hit the second of his free throws before checking out. Payton II is currently getting X-rays.
Just moments later, Draymond Green was elbowed in the nose by fellow Michigan State alumnus Xavier Tillman. No foul was called, so it could not be reviewed for a flagrant foul. Green promptly left the game and entered the Warriors’ locker room to be attended to.
Green left the court flipping off Grizzlies fans.
According to the broadcast, Green left with blood on his face. General manager Bob Myers also reportedly left his seat to go to the Warriors’ locker room and check on Green.
Just a few minutes later, Stephen Curry was hit in the game and a timeout was later called to deal with a cut on his left hand. It’s been a brutal, physical game.
Steve Kerr joined the broadcast after the court and said, “That wasn’t physical, that was dirty.”
He said Green, who has since returned to the game, got stitches. The Warriors confirmed it was for a left eye laceration.
The Warriors have since ruled out Payton II from returning with a left elbow injury.
The news, delivered from Bob Myers to Joe Lacob above, did not seem to be encouraging.