Warriors claim ‘Domantas Sabonis has been using the ball as a weapon’ during playoff series

The Golden State Warriors have reportedly taken umbrage with the play of Domantas Sabonis and feel that he is using the ball as a ‘weapon,’ according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

‘There is some anger within the organization toward the league,’ Lowe said on his podcast. 

‘There’s a sense in the organization that Sabonis is shoving people on offensive rebounds and playing with his elbows out and using the ball as a weapon on offense.’ 

Sabonis has recently been at the center of controversy after he was stepped on by Draymond Green in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the series against Golden State.

Despite the fact that Sabonis was clearly seen grabbing Green’s leg and hugging it with both arms in an effort to stop Green from running back up the court on defense he was only given a technical foul.

The Golden State Warriors have grown angry with Domantas Sabonis’s play in the series

Sabonis could be seen grabbing Draymond Green’s leg as he tried to run back up the court

Green on the other hand was suspended for a game for the stomp and appearing to use Sabonis’s chest as a launching bad as he attempted to continue getting back on defense.

The NBA noted that part of the suspension was also ‘was based in part on Green´s history of unsportsmanlike acts.’

Green defended his actions following the game saying: ‘My leg got grabbed, second time in two nights,’ he told reporters. Referees just watch it. 

‘I gotta’ land my foot somewhere, and I’m not the most flexible person so it’s not stretching that far. I can only step so far with him pulling my leg away.’

‘The explanation was I stomped too hard… I guess ankle grabbing is OK.’

Green’s teammate Klay Thompson admitted after the game that he wasn’t in the right, but also questioned Sabonis’ behavior.

‘What are you going to do when someone grabs your foot when you’re running full speed?… That’s not cool.’

ESPN reported after the game that Sabonis was undergoing X-rays on his ribs/lungs, and later updated that the 26-year-old had appeared to avoid injury.

Green was also said to have requested an x-ray on his ankle after saying he felt soreness that he believed was due to soreness he felt was related to the ankle grab.

Warriors center Kevon Looney was asked about Sabonis’s play, which he called ‘pretty normal.’

As he freed himself Green stomped on Sabonis’s torso and pushed off to keep moving

Green insisted he had nowhere else to step when Sabonis grabbed his leg in Monday’s game

Sabonis remained on the ground in pain after the foot-freeing stomp in the fourth quarter