Draymond Green’s Midseason Form Shines in Warriors’ Season Opener Against Lakers
The NBA season kicked off on Tuesday night, and Draymond Green showcased his midseason form as the Golden State Warriors took on the Los Angeles Lakers in what promised to be an exciting matchup. Green started the game but was substituted for Al Horford with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter. While on the bench, he expressed his frustration over a missed basket interference call by the referees, a moment that didn’t go unnoticed.
Referee Ed Malloy issued Green a technical foul for his animated reaction, marking the 132nd technical of his career. This places him at 20th on the all-time NBA technical fouls list, with Karl Malone holding the record at 200. Last season, Green accumulated 18 technical fouls, ranking third in the league behind Anthony Edwards and Dillon Brooks. It’s worth noting that accruing 16 technical fouls in a season leads to an automatic one-game suspension. Green led the league with 21 technicals in the 2022-23 season, was second with 18 the previous year, and finished fourth with 15 in the 2020-21 season.
Despite the early setback, Green continued to contribute significantly to the game, finishing with seven rebounds and nine assists, tying for a game-high plus-20 rating on the floor alongside Jimmy Butler. He scored five of his eight points in the fourth quarter, adding two blocks and two assists to his stat line. The Warriors ultimately secured a 119-109 victory over a Lakers team that is currently dealing with injuries, notably missing superstar LeBron James, who is set to begin his record-breaking 23rd NBA season in the coming weeks.
For more updates on your favorite sports teams and athletes, follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
