Back in December, Golden State's Draymond Green was given an indefinite suspension by the NBA after striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic on the head.
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That suspension ended up lasting 12 games, which Green has since served and returned to the basketball court. Yet, Green hadn't faced Nurkic and the Suns since his return until Saturday — and the duo picked up right where they left off.
Green and Nurkic began trading barbs in the first quarter of the game — which the Warriors won 113-112 on a last-second 3-pointer by Steph Curry — after Green was called for a foul while defending Nurkic in the paint.
Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic going at it early 🍿
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/qs30y7V3PW
— ESPN (@espn) February 11, 2024
Nurkic was then called for an offensive foul on the next play, when he bulldozed Green while attempting to shoot a layup — which Green reacted to by pointing to his head and hyping up the home crowd.
However, the battle was just beginning between these two foes.
In the third quarter, after Nurkic scored a hook shot over Green, the Suns center slapped the floor twice and taunted Green with a "too small" gesture.
This Draymond Green - Jusuf Nurkić feud is hilarious…. 😂😂
https://t.co/JsmWZi1nt3— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) February 11, 2024
Two minutes later, Green scored a basket against Nurkic in the paint, and returned the favor.
After the game, Nurkic was asked about his interactions with Green. "It's sad," Nurkic said. "He didn't learn anything. Just a matter of time. He's going to hit somebody else again. Take back everything I said. He don't deserve a chance."
Nurkic was then asked what exactly Green did during the game that told Nurkic nothing had changed, he replied with, "Antics. Try to hit people."
"It's sad. He didn't learn anything. Just a matter of time. He's going to hit somebody else again. Take back everything I said. He don't deserve a chance."
Jusuf Nurkic on Draymond Green, who got suspended after hitting him in face Dec. 12.
"Antics. Try to hit people." #Suns pic.twitter.com/fEF2hLJuyS
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 11, 2024
Green was told what Nurkic had said during his postgame press conference. In response, Green said, "I thought I was great tonight. He tried to get in my head, and it didn't work. If he wants me to walk around quiet, like him, I'm never going to do that. Quiet guys don't win.
"He can keep rocking with that same horse that he rode in on," Green continued. "He can ride his ass right out of here on that same horse. It's not working."
Curry sided with his teammate, calling Nurkic's comments "idiotic."
Draymond responds to Nurkić's postgame comments saying the Warriors star didn't learn anything from his suspension ⬇ pic.twitter.com/DAPCArHlMG
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 11, 2024
It seems as if the Green-Nurkic saga is still far from finished. While the Warriors and Suns won't play each other again during the regular season, perhaps they'll match up in the playoffs. An entire series between these two familiar enemies should make some headlines.
