Draymond Green and LeBron James have had several big moments playing against each other on the court, and on Monday night, the two clashed — quite literally.
With just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter and the Golden State Warriors leading the Cleveland Cavaliers 52-35, Green received a flagrant foul for stopping James with his arm at mid-court.
James went down hard and lay face down on the floor for several moments as both teams began heatedly arguing.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Green evidently seemed to believe James embellished the contact, and responded to the officials’ call by mimicking a flopping motion while walking toward his team’s bench.
Although Green paid for that brutal hit, the Warriors held a comfortable 78-49 lead at halftime, and eventually defeated the Cavaliers 126-91 at Oracle Arena in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals, which Cleveland won.
Green recorded his third of the season with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He also matched his career best with five blocks.
Stephen Curry added 20 points, including five 3-pointers, while matching his season best with 11 assists.
James had 20 points on 6-of-18 shooting and eight rebounds. The Cavs star commented on his relationship with Green, dismissing the notion that it was in any way a rivalry.
”I don’t think it’s a rivalry,” James reiterated. ”It’s two great teams that have aspirations. I don’t believe I’ve ever had a rivalry in the NBA.”
Kevin Durant added 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks for Golden State, while Klay Thompson contributed 26 points with five 3-pointers.
Monday’s matchup was highly anticipated, given that the Warriors lost 109-108 in Cleveland on Christmas. Golden State blew a 14-point lead that day.
Cleveland shot just 35.2 percent (31 for 88) overall on Monday. More than embarrassed, Cavs players headed for the tunnel before the final buzzer even sounded.
Andre Iguodala came off Golden State’s bench to make all five of his field goal attempts for a season-high 14 points, and Shaun Livingston added 13.
”It’s intense enough for two matchups,” Green said regarding the Warriors-Cavaliers matchups. ”If you want to play each other again, try to get to the NBA Finals. The fact you only play twice a year makes it even more exciting because you only have two cracks at it.”
Curry hit a 3-pointer in his 100th consecutive home game, the second-longest such streak in NBA history behind Kyle Korver’s 132.
The Cavaliers have now wrapped up their six-game road trip and next host Phoenix on Thursday, when the Warriors host Oklahoma City. Durant already defeated the Thunder, his former team, at Oracle Arena 122-96 on Nov. 3.
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors fouls LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on January 16, 2017 in Oakland, California.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Peyton Watson in a multi-team trade finalized in August…
James Harden is staying in Cleveland. The veteran guard has agreed to a three-year, $97…
Mexico's relationship with the international soccer establishment is facing a potentially significant turning point after…
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte did not appear for Monday's series opener against the…
A family rift has erupted at the top of the Los Angeles Lakers, as Jeanie…
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive…