SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected for the first time this season -- and 31st time of his career -- after receiving two technical fouls in the same sequence during Monday night's 116-113 win over the Phoenix Suns.
With 10 minutes left in the third quarter, Green was knocked to the court while under the hoop defending Suns center Khaman Maluach. Green immediately bounced up, grabbed Maluach and was called for a personal foul before tossing Maluach to the court after the whistle for what officials called a "throwdown" that led to the first technical.
Phoenix forward Dillon Brooks then entered the fray, running from the top of the key to confront Green for the hard foul. The longtime rivals grabbed each other's jerseys and locked into a brief staredown, needing to be separated.
After review, officials called a double technical on Green and Brooks, which triggered an automatic ejection for Green.
It marked the 23rd regular-season ejection of Green's 15-year career. He also has been ejected eight times in the playoffs.
Green has three technical fouls in six games this season.