The Golden State Warriors were able to pull off their fifth consecutive victory of the season after starting off 0-3, over the Suns on Monday. The 116-113 victory saw the Warriors pull off a comeback to ultimately win the game, even despite the ejection of veteran Warriors forward Draymond Green.
Early in the third quarter, Draymond Green wrapped up Suns center Khaman Maluach to deny an easy layup, then threw him to the floor, though Maluach still finished the basket. Suns forward Dillon Brooks, who has a history of friction with Green, rushed over to confront him, and the two got into a physical exchange. Both drew technical fouls, and Green was ejected.
Phoenix led 67-57 at the time, but the Warriors rallied after Green’s exit. Charles Bassey’s layup gave Golden State its first lead of the second half with 11:20 left in the fourth quarter. After the game, Curry said he was thankful for the ejection because it woke the team up and sparked the win.
“That's just the greatest NBA basketball players on earth competing. Nothing serious happened.”
Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Brandin Podzemski echoed similar sentiments.
“He lit a fire in all of us. We had to respond. I'm glad we did,” Curry said.
“I loved it. It fueled our team. We didn't have that edge to us to start the game… I think it was needed and maybe he sensed it, maybe he didn't, but it helped us.”
The Warriors look to continue their win streak as they face off against the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Miami Heat.