Draymond Green's Shocking Ejection Ends Warriors' Playoff Hopes in Wild Play-In Loss to Suns

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are now set—and the Golden State Warriors are not among the teams competing. The Warriors advanced past the first round of the play-in tournament but fell short of securing the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference on Friday, April 18, losing to the Phoenix Suns. Golden State finished the season with a 37-45 record, leaving their fate in the NBA Draft Lottery. The franchise enters the lottery with an 11th-place selection, holding a 9.4% chance at a top-four pick and a 2% chance at the No. 1 overall selection.

The loss raises major questions about the Warriors' future. Will Steve Kerr return as head coach next season? Can Golden State build a competitive roster around Stephen Curry at age 38? Every player on the roster will face scrutiny, and the Warriors may emerge as trade candidates for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Amid potential changes, one constant remains: Draymond Green. His play-in performance showcased his defensive brilliance—locking down Kawhi Leonard in Game 1—but ended in controversy. With the Suns' victory secured and less than a minute remaining, Green sprinted toward Devin Booker and delivered a hard punch to his chest.

Watch the incident unfold here:

You can hear how LOUD Draymond punched Devin Booker in the chest 😭 pic.twitter.com/dGienHdRBN

Why did Green attack Booker with no provocation? The punch triggered a foul, but Green’s post-game taunting led to his ejection by referee Scott Foster. Booker was also ejected, though his role in the altercation remains unclear. Green, a former collegiate wrestler, has long been known for his fiery demeanor. His ejection capped a season of highs and lows for the Warriors.

Social media erupted over the bizarre moment. One user tweeted:

if it was the end, at least draymond died doing what he loved (causing a scene and getting ejected) https://t.co/Hm8MbOxa0u

With the Warriors' season over, the focus now shifts to the offseason. Changes are coming, but Draymond Green’s legacy as a polarizing yet iconic figure remains intact.