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- The Warriors are taking on the Grizzlies in NBA Playoff action
- Draymond Green has been ejected in Game 1 of the series due to a controversial call
- Read more NBA news here
The second-round series between the Grizzlies and Warriors is underway.
Memphis was able to slip past Minnesota in six games to keep their season alive, while Golden State made light work of the Nuggets in their opening postseason matchup.
The matchup should be exciting as superstars Steph Curry and Ja Morant square off, but Game 1 has already brought about a bit of controversy.
Warriors forward Draymond Green has been ejected from the contest after committing a hard foul on Brandon Clarke. The play resulted in a flagrant two call, leaving Golden State to play the entire second half without one of their most important pieces.
Draymond Green was ejected for this flagrant 2 foul. pic.twitter.com/QPYnODEXt1
— ESPN (@espn) May 1, 2022
The play, which was certainly a foul, saw Green smack Clarke in the face before pulling the scorer down by his jersey in an attempt to keep him from getting a bucket.
But the flagrant two seems a bit excessive, and it could have a huge impact on both the game and series.
NBA reacts to Draymond Green ejection
The NBA world was quick to react to the flagrant two call, with players and media coming to Green’s defense after the ejection.
Flagrant 2???
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 1, 2022
Flagrant 2 😳😳 that’s big for this game
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) May 1, 2022
Todays league: flagrant 2… BACK IN THE DAY: common foul!
— Javale PIERRE 3Xs McGee (@JaValeMcGee) May 1, 2022
Wait, FLAGRANT 2 on Draymond? Wow. Clear flagrant, but EJECTING him from the game?
Sheesh that's brutal. I'm stunned
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) May 1, 2022
if that’s a Flagrant 2 … i’m sorry, that’s insane
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) May 1, 2022
Flagrant 2??? Come on @OfficialNBARefs
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) May 1, 2022
Also, that shouldn’t have been a flagrant 2. Game 1 result is potentially tainted.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) May 1, 2022
Midway through the third quarter, the Grizzlies lead by a score of 82-79. If they do, in fact, leave with a win in Game 1, you can bet that the Warriors will look back on this critical call.
The winner of the matchup gets off to a 1-0 start in the series with a leg up on a Conference Finals appearance. We’ll see if Green’s absence dooms Golden State in the second half.