.jpg)
3 hours ago
1
The NBA has cracked down hard on Draymond Green's decision to question officiating in the Warriors' five-point loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Ahead of Game 5 of the series, the league handed Green a $50,000 fine for inappropriate comments captured on the game feed.
This is not the first fine of Green's career, nor is it the first time an NBA player was fined for criticizing the officiating. Green's punishment, however, is reported to stem from his questioning the integrity of Game 3's officials concerning the blurring lines between sports betting and professional sports.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
What did Green say to earn the fine? Here is more on why the NBA docked the Defensive Player of the Year finalist $50,000.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket
Draymond Green fine, explained
The NBA fined Green "for making an inappropriate comment that questions the integrity of game officials," the league announced in a release.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the fine stems from Green referencing the game's 5.5-point spread toward the end of the game. His comments were captured on camera and quickly went viral.
The Timberwolves were 5.5-point favorites in Game 3 and with 15.2 seconds left in the game, held a 102-94 lead and Green's night was done.
At that moment, a user on X (formerly Twitter) captured video of Green as he appears to say, "That's crazy. Five and a half, I know what they're doing. Spread!" insinuating that the officials had taken measures to ensure that Minnesota would cover the point spread.
On the next play, however, Jonathan Kuminga hit a 3-pointer, meaning the Warriors covered with a five-point loss.
— Your Favorite Burner 🔥 (@BurnerforBets) May 12, 2025Green is not the first player who has been disciplined for questioning the integrity of game officials, as his adversary, Rudy Gobert, was fined $100,000 during the 2024 playoffs for making a money sign gesture at referees.
The fine comes less than a year after former Raptors two-way player Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban for his role in a gambling operation and is a clear message from the league to remove all doubt of foul play as it pertains to sports betting and the product on the floor.
MORE DRAYMOND GREEN:
English (US)