Timberwolves guard Jaden McDaniels were ejected Tuesday night for their roles in a fight less than two minutes into their in-season tournament game.
McDaniels' jersey while he waited for a long rebound. McDaniels grabbed Thompson, and both refused to let go as they moved down the court.
Thompson and McDaniels were both assessed double technicals, while Green was hit with a flagrant 2 foul, all automatic ejections. The score was still 0-0.
That likely won't be the end to the consequences for Green, who could be facing a suspension in the coming days. Further replay was not kind to the idea that he was just trying to keep the peace
warriors guard Klay Thompson, front, and forward Draymond Green, left, got into an altercation with Wolves center Rudy Gobert, back, and forward Jaden McDaniels during the first half Tuesday.
Tuesday night's 104-101 Timberwolves win over the Warriors took all of 1 minute, 43 seconds to become anything but a normal game.
That was the time when Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Wolves forward Jaden McDaniels began grabbing each other's jerseys and shoving each other near midcourt.
Warriors already entered this game shorthanded as they were missing Stephen Curry, which forced them to start Chris Paul at point guard. Now, with Thompson and Green ejected, they are down all three pillars of their dynasty in this game. The Wolves are without McDaniels, but still have the rest of their roster at their disposal. Kerr did not contest Green's ejection, but said Green went after Gobert because Gobert had his hands on Thompson's neck.
Gobert, who finished with nine points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, called Green's actions "clown behavior," according to reporters who cover the Timberwolves.
Kerr, in one of the great understatements of this NBA season, summed things up succinctly: "A bizarre way to start the game," he said.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thompson should not have been ejected and offered an explanation for Green's behavior.
"There is no way Klay should have been ejected. That's ridiculous," he said. "As far as the Draymond part, Rudy had his hands on Klay's neck. That's why Draymond went after Rudy."
This was Green's second ejection of the season after he was tossed against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.
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