The Golden State Warriors were under the pump as Draymond Green was ejected less than four minutes against Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Green recently returned from his indefinite suspension in January and since then he has not crossed the line.
However, Green was chirping at official Ray Acosta after being called for his first personal foul. A few minutes later, Steph Curry was called for a shooting foul and Green started yelling at Acosta, for which he received a technical foul.
But in the end, the Warriors bounced back and registered a 101-93 win. Andrew Wiggins top-scored with 23 points for the Dubs and scored 13 points in the final frame.
“We need him. He knows that. We all know that,” Curry said of Green. “So, whatever we need to do to keep him on the floor and be available, that’s what’s got to happen. Especially at this point in the year. It was a tough way to start the game.”
Curry admitted that this is a crucial phase of the tournament and they need to play at their absolute best to make it to the playoffs.
“We know how important this part of the season is in our ability to get into a rhythm and secure a play-in opportunity,” Curry said of what was going through his head at that moment.
“We don’t want to give ourselves self-inflicted wounds. We all care. We all are passionate about the game and our chances to have something to play for down the stretch. You give everything you’ve got to this game. That’s the emotion.”
“Too bad. It was unfortunate,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “He deserved it. He’ll bounce back.”
Meanwhile, Curry kicked three chairs after Orlando’s Jalen Suggs scored a three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining in regulation time.
“I was letting out a little steam,” Curry said. “Nothing is guaranteed in this league. The way that we went out and competed … the way the season is going, maybe it’s the way you see how your back is against the wall. I don’t know how many people would have picked us in this kind of game — back-to-back setting, down two starters — and we found a way to fight to get a win.”
Golden State Warriors will next face Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
