Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green earned his first ejection of the season after altercations with two Phoenix Suns players.
Green first threw down second-year center Khaman Maluach about two minutes into the second half of the Warriors' 116-113 win Monday in San Francisco. He earned his first technical of the night from that run-in.
He then got into a brief skirmish with Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks, resulting in a second technical and resulting ejection.
"He lit a fire in all of us and we had to respond," Curry told reporters, when asked about Green. "I'm glad we did."
Green's ejection sequence started when the Suns were attacking the basket. Maluach stepped into the paint and collided with Green, who fell to the floor. Suns guard Devin Booker then passed inside to the 7-foot-1 center. Maluach caught the ball and made a shot off the glass. At the same time, Green jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around Maluach before throwing him to the ground.
Referees assessed Green with a technical. Brooks then ran in to respond to Green for throwing down his teammate. The NBA veterans exchanged words and shoves before they were both given technicals.
Players from both teams were eventually separated and play resumed.
The Warriors, who were outscored 31-19 in the first quarter, held a 32-26 edge in the second. They outscored their visitors 65-56 over the final 24 minutes.
"That third quarter was the run that we needed to get back into it," Curry said.
Curry made 9 of 21 shots, including five 3-pointers, for a game-high 34 points. He also chipped in seven assists and six rebounds. Fellow Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski totaled 20 points.
Green totaled four points and four rebounds before his exit. He averaged 3.2 points, 6.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game through his first six appearances this season.
Brooks logged 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Booker led the Suns with 26 points.
The Warriors (5-3), who started 0-3 before their active five-game winning streak, will host the Miami Heat at 10 p.m. EST Thursday in San Francisco. The Suns (1-4) will look to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Portland Trail Blazers (5-1) at 9 p.m. Wednesday in Phoenix.
