Following the suspension of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock, head coach Steve Kerr expressed his understanding of the punishment. Kerr stated that he believes Green "took it too far" and acknowledged that the five-game suspension is deserved, emphasizing the need for Green to avoid crossing the line into physical violence. Kerr mentioned that Green's history of unsportsmanlike conduct played a role in the length of the ban.
The incident occurred early in Tuesday's game when an altercation broke out between Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Timberwolves swingman Jaden McDaniels. When Gobert attempted to intervene, Green put him in a headlock and refused to release the hold for an extended period.
Green, serving his fifth career suspension, will miss several games, with Kerr revealing that third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga will start in his place for the upcoming matchups. Kerr instructed Kuminga to focus on running the floor, rebounding, diving, getting to the free-throw line, and shooting three-pointers.
