OAKLAND-- If the Golden State Warriors wish take care of business and win Game 5 at home tonight at the Oracle Arena and close out the pesky Cleveland Cavaliers, the defending champs will have to do it without their biggest stars --- Draymond Green --- who will serve a one-game suspension.
Green's suspension was announced by the NBA on Sunday after reviewing the play involving Green and LeBron James. The league ruled Green's "striking" of James was a Flagrant 1 and because Green had reached a total of four flagrant points, he merited the automatic suspension.
"The cumulative-points system is designed to deter flagrant fouls in our game," NBA executive vice president of KiKi Vandeweghe said in a statement.
Per NBA rules, Green cannot be in the building for Game 5. Breaking that mandate means a fine equivalent to a game check, which means $140,000 in Green's case.
To say the Warriors will miss Green is an understatement. An All-Star, the 6-foot-7, 235-pound small forward is averaging 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists in these Finals. Green's versatility, toughness and ability to stay with LeBron James defensively cannot be quantified in mere numbers.
In the history of the NBA Finals, no team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit. The Cavaliers are attempting to alter that but it will require for them to beat the Warriors three straight times beginning tonight.
Photo: Draymond Green won't be flexing his muscles on the court today when Game 5 of the NBA Finals resumes at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Green is serving a one-game suspension.
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