The Golden State Warriors won the battle in their road game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, but it came with some Stephen Curry tears.
And they didn't appear to be tears of joy.
Instead, Curry went viral after he appeared to be crying when feisty teammate Draymond Green was ejected — yet again. This time, it happened about only four minutes into the game.
Green, of course, was suspended earlier this season after he placed a chokehold on Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, then got into it with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic. The NBA then forced Green to sit for 12 games.
In Tuesday's win over the Miami Heat, Green was whistled for a hard foul on opposing guard Patty Mills — an act that some suggested could have been called for at least a Flagrant 1. (It was ruled a common foul.)
Against Orlando, he was tossed after back-to-back technicals for complaining to the refs.
"He earned his first technical for arguing with referee Ray Acosta after a foul was called on Stephen Curry as the Magic's Paolo Banchero drove to the cup for a layup," USA Today reported. "Green continued to argue with Acosta, who walked away from Green at one point. Although Curry and other teammates were at Green's side to make sure he didn't cross the line, he eventually did when he continued jawing with Acosta as he walked to the bench."
Curry could then be seen shaking his head, walking away, and letting out some serious frustration. And according to multiple reports, he was so frustrated that he wept.
Steph?s reaction to Draymond?s ejection pic.twitter.com/5TH5DYC9w1
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 27, 2024
The Warriors (38-34) are fighting for their postseason lives, holding the final spot in the play-in tournament with the 10th seed in the Western Conference. Green isn't the player he once was, but he's still a valued starter.
"All I'll say is we need him. He knows that. We all know that," Curry told reporters. "Whatever it takes to keep him on the floor — him be available — that's what's got to happen, especially at this point in the year."
