Draymond Green Faces NBA Scrutiny After Incident with Rookie Zach Edey

It seems that Draymond Green is back to his controversial ways, drawing attention for another dangerous play. This time, the target was Zach Edey, a towering 2.24m rookie from the Memphis Grizzlies, and the tallest player in the NBA 2024-25 season.

In a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Grizzlies on Saturday, November 16, Green committed a questionable foul on Edey. Despite the Warriors’ 123-118 victory, the focus shifted to Green’s actions during the game.

The Incident

During the third quarter, Green lost possession and fell near Edey, who was preparing to join the offensive play. As Edey moved forward, Green appeared to grab his leg, causing the rookie to fall hard onto the court.

Referees initially ruled it a “transition take foul”, granting the Grizzlies a free throw. However, after reviewing the footage post-game, the NBA Referee Committee upgraded Green’s foul to a flagrant-1, citing its dangerous nature.

Speaking after the game, Edey criticized Green’s actions, saying:
“That wasn’t basketball. It’s not a play you expect to see in this sport.”

NBA Disciplinary Measures

The flagrant-1 penalty adds 1 point to Green’s disciplinary tally. Players who accumulate 5 points from flagrant fouls are automatically suspended for one game without pay. This penalty system parallels the 16 technical fouls rule that has previously sidelined Green.

Notably, Green also received two technical fouls during the game, leading to his ejection in the fourth quarter. This marks the first time this season that Green has been ejected and his first flagrant foul for the 2024-25 season.

What’s Next for Green?

Green has a reputation for physical and aggressive plays, often walking a fine line between competitive and unsportsmanlike behavior. His actions will likely keep him under close watch as the season progresses.

This latest controversy adds to the mounting pressure on Draymond Green to adjust his approach. With the season still in its early stages, Green will need to tread carefully to avoid further disciplinary actions.

The Warriors, currently vying for playoff positioning, cannot afford to lose a key player to suspension, especially given the competitive nature of the Western Conference. Whether Green can temper his aggression without compromising his effectiveness remains to be seen.

As for Zach Edey, the rookie is showing early signs of resilience, both physically and mentally. His response to the incident demonstrates maturity, and he will likely use this experience as a learning opportunity as he navigates the challenges of his first NBA season.

The NBA will undoubtedly continue to monitor Green closely, with fans and analysts alike waiting to see how this story unfolds.