"Just saw a guy on their team literally punch Steph": Steve Kerr defends Draymond Green's ejection citing Dillon Brooks' "dirty" plays

NBA: Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors - Source: Imagn
"Just saw a guy on their team literally punch Steph": Steve Kerr defends Draymond Green's ejection citing Dillon Brooks' "dirty" plays (Image Source: Imagn)

Steve Kerr was in complete disagreement with Draymond Green's ejection from the Golden State Warriors' 119-116 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. The former player-turned-coach cited Dillon Brooks' fouls on Steph Curry and Gary Payton II to defend Green's actions.

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Brooks seemingly punched an airborne Curry on a shot attempt when the teams matched up on Thursday. However, he escaped the game without any penalties. During the 2022 playoffs, Western Conference semis, when Brooks was on the Grizzlies, he was involved in Payton's brutal injury after a midair collision that led to a shattered elbow.

On the other hand, Green was tossed on Saturday after a pair of technicals as he shoved Suns guard Collin Gillespie and then jawed at the refs. Kerr believed he deserved one technical foul at best. Here's what the Warriors coach said:

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"I thought it was weak. You know, he was yelling at the refs, so he definitely deserved one. But then, he's walking to the bench, and he yells something, and then the second technical ... we just saw a guy on their team literally punch Steph in the stomach the other night.

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"Premeditated, punches him in the stomach and no ejection for that. And then two nights later, refs got upset with some words from Draymond. I totally disagree."
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Kerr continued to attack Brooks, saying:

"This is a guy who broke Gary's elbow in the playoffs, clotheslining him. One of the dirtiest plays I've ever seen. So it's not like there's not a track record there."

Steve Kerr said it was 'bizarre' that the refs didn't do anything about Dillon Brooks' foul on Steph Curry. He later claimed sarcastically that if swinging at defenseless players doesn't warrant a Flagrant, that's what the Warriors will resort to doing.

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Steph Curry claimed the Warriors were fueled by Draymond Green's ejection

The Warriors surprisingly managed to play one of their best defensive games on Saturday, despite missing their backbone, Draymond Green. They held the Suns to 39% shooting in the last three quarters to overturn a 14-point lead.

Steph Curry shared in his postgame interview that Green's ejection "woke" the Warriors.

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"It woke us up because we knew without him [Draymond Green], we were gonna have to play even tougher, dig deeper down the rotation," he said.

Steph Curry had 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Jimmy Butler added 25. Rookie Will Richard was the story of the night as he scored 20 points off the bench with five rebounds on 6 of 7 shots. His hustle plays were massive in key stretches in Draymond Green's absence, which played a major role in the Warriors' win.

Phoenix Suns Fans? Check out the latest Suns depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Arhaan Raje
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