Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected after receiving his second technical foul under four minutes into Wednesday’s matchup with the Orlando Magic.
Green picked up his first technical at the 8:24 mark of the first quarter for arguing with an official after teammate Andrew Wiggins was called for a foul on Magic forward Paolo Banchero. Referees handed Green a second technical a few moments later when he continued to argue.
Green recorded three rebounds and one assist before leaving.
The Warriors went on a 21-7 run following his ejection.
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked to comment on the ejection. “He deserved it,” Kerr told reporters, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Steph Curry stressed Green’s importance to the team, saying, “We need him. He knows that. We all know that,” per ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
“Whatever we need to do to keep him on the floor and be available, that’s what’s got to happen,” Curry added.
Golden State was already short on wing depth as Jonathan Kuminga was a late scratch against Orlando due to knee soreness.
Despite Green’s ejection, the Warriors managed to secure a crucial 101-93 win over the Magic. Wiggins picked up the slack, dropping 23 points and grabbing six rebounds.
The Warriors are 10th in the Western Conference and have the final play-in spot. Golden State is just one game ahead of the Houston Rockets, who are currently riding a nine-game winning streak.
The infractions were Green’s ninth and 10th technical fouls of the season, and he leads the league with four ejections this campaign. It was also the 21st ejection of Green’s career, the second-most ever behind Rasheed Wallace’s 29.
The NBA suspended Green five games for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock during a November contest. Green then received an indefinite ban after striking Phoenix Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic in December. He returned to the lineup 16 games later.
