The NBA has officially announced that Draymond Green will be suspended for Game 5 of the Finals after his retaliatory action in Game 4 was upgraded to a flagrant foul 1. The incident occurred during a tense moment late in the game, adding yet another twist to this high-stakes series. Meanwhile, LeBron James received a post-game technical foul for his role in the altercation, though he remains eligible to play in the next matchup.
The controversy erupted with 2:48 left in Game 4, where the Golden State Warriors were leading 96-86. During an off-ball screen near the top of the key, Green and James collided, and Green fell to the floor. As James walked over him—literally stepping over his head—Green felt disrespected and lashed out with a retaliatory swipe that hit James in the groin area. This triggered an immediate scuffle between the two stars. Officials intervened quickly and assessed both players with standard personal fouls, but tensions remained high long after the final whistle.
James later claimed that Green had verbally insulted him and called for the league to investigate. After reviewing the footage, the NBA decided to upgrade Green’s foul and suspend him due to his accumulation of flagrant foul points throughout the playoffs. In the Western Conference Finals, Green had already received a flagrant foul 2 for kicking Steven Adams, which was added post-game. He had also received a flagrant foul 1 earlier in the postseason for a takedown on Michael Beasley. With the threshold now crossed, an automatic one-game suspension was triggered.
“We have a points-based system in the postseason designed to discourage excessive physical play,” explained NBA executive Kiki VanDeWeghe. “Although Green’s action in Game 4 alone doesn’t warrant a direct suspension, his total flagrant points require that he sit out Game 5.”
James, despite the technical foul, will face no further disciplinary action and will play as scheduled.
Green’s absence is a major blow for the defending champions. He leads the Warriors in rebounds, assists, and steals during the Finals, and ranks third in scoring. Although Game 5 will be held at Oracle Arena, Green’s suspension could tip the balance in what has already been a fiercely contested series.
In the regular season, the Warriors lost the only game Green missed—a 112-110 defeat against the Denver Nuggets on January 14. This statistic highlights just how critical Green’s presence is to the team’s success. Meanwhile, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing officiating, adding another layer of drama to an already intense Finals saga.
Sports fans around the world, including followers of Bangladesh Cricket, are no strangers to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with playoff drama. Just as Bangladesh Cricket fans have witnessed thrilling wins and heartbreaking losses, this NBA Finals series shows how momentum can shift in the blink of an eye. From tactical decisions to player suspensions, it’s clear that discipline and resilience—values well-known in Bangladesh Cricket—are just as vital on the basketball court as they are on the cricket field.