Draymond Green ejected less than 4 minutes into Warriors vs. Magic after arguing with official

Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green was ejected less than four minutes into a 101-93 road win against the Orlando Magic Wednesday. It was the second straight night that Green's actions drew attention less than five minutes into a game.

Green was jawing at NBA referee Ray Acosta after drawing a personal foul early. It didn't take long for things to escalate, as Warriors star Stephen Curry was called for a shooting foul a few plays later. Green appeared to react to the decision by yelling at Acosta, leading the referee to issue a technical foul. The whistle didn't stop Green, as he continued to shout in the official's face. He was hit with another tech, which sent him to the locker room with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr tried to reason with officials, as Green appeared to yell expletives during his exit. Meanwhile, Curry shook his head before kneeling down and attempting to fight tears. He covered his face with his jersey as he walked around Golden State's bench.

Andrew Wiggins led the team in scoring, with 23 points and six rebounds. Curry added 17 points and a game-high 10 assists.

Green had three rebounds and one assist before his night ended. He's averaging 8.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and six assists over 46 appearances this season.

Postgame, Kerr opted to praise the rest of the team when asked about Green's ejection, adding that "He deserved it."

Having been suspended twice during the current campaign, it's clear that Green's conduct has impacted the Warriors. Wednesday's ejection was his fourth in 2023-24, reportedly making him the first player to be tossed from a game at least four times in a season since Kevin Durant's five ejections in 2017-18.

The most recent incident comes immediately after referees gave Green a break two minutes into Tuesday night's 113-92 victory over the Miami Heat.

Green was defending Patty Mills as he shifted to contest a Bam Adebayo shot. In that effort, Green grabbed Mills by the neck and yanked him backward. Somehow, Green's foul was ruled common and not a flagrant.

Curry didn't get into specifics about his frustrations with Green when he spoke to reporters in the locker room.

"All I’ll say is we need him," Curry said. "He knows that. We all know that. So whatever it takes for him to be on the floor and available, that’s what’s gotta happen.”

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