April 30, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) stretches before game seven of the 2023 NBA playoffs first round against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings
SAN FRANCISCO– Draymond Green is returning to the Warriors lineup on Tuesday night against the Kings.
Green was suspended for five games after he put Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock on Nov. 14.
Speaking with reporters on Sunday and addressing the suspension for the first time, Green predictably had no regrets, saying it was about defending a teammate.
“I don’t live my life with regrets,” Green said. “Like I said before, I’ll come to a teammate’s defense anytime that I’m in a position to come to a teammate’s defense. That’s what a team is. You stick together through the good and the bad and I take that to heart. I take pride in being a good teammate. That’s when I step in here every single day. That’s No. 1 on my list, to be a good teammate….
“I think the consensus amongst all of us is I’m going to be me no matter what and that’s not going to change. But in saying that there’s always a better way that something can be done and so figuring out a better way I think is the consensus amongst all of us…
“I want to play basketball the way I play basketball, the way I play basketball has gotten me here. The way I play basketball has brought me a tremendous amount of success, individually and from a team standpoint. So I’m going to always be myself and not changing that. But like I said, I do understand and know that there’s room for growth, there are different ways to handle things and I need to be better in those moments, in different situations.”
After the NBA announced Green’s suspension, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Green’s actions were “inexcusable” and that the organization would have to figure out the best ways to support Green moving forward.
