Feb 20, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, argues with referee Marc Davis (8) as Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington looks on during the second half at Spectrum Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green’s costly foul late leads to buzzer-beating win for Charlotte Hornets.
The Golden State Warriors-Charlotte Hornets game received plenty of attention after superstar point guard Stephen Curry left the court just prior to tip-off after feeling under the weather. But, the game will be known for what went on in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.
With less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation, the Warriors held a 100-98 lead. That all changed after a jump ball between LaMelo Ball and Brad Wanamaker, resulting in Gordon Hayward recovering and the referees rewarded the Hornets with a timeout. The Warriors thought it should have been another jump ball and Green was livid with the on-court officials. The referees then assessed Green a double technical foul, leading to his ejection.
After the ejection took place, Terry Rozier nailed his two free throw attempts to tie the game. With the Hornets regaining possession with the clock ticking down, Rozier hit a clutch two-point shot at the buzzer to give them the 102-100 victory.
Steve Kerr backs officials and calls out Draymond for double technicals
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr did say that he was upset with the officials for rewarding Charlotte with a timeout instead of going for a jump ball. Kerr then said that Green can not do what he did and said he “made a terrible mistake getting T’d up.”
While Green was dubbed the goat for the Warriors, Rozier was the hero for the Hornets. Rozier accounted for Charlotte’s final 10 points of the game, including the buzzer-beater to give them the huge win.
Rozier would score 36 points (12-of-19 from field, 8-11 from three-point line), dish out four assits and grab three rebounds in 39 minutes of playing time. As for Green, he contributed five points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 32 minutes.
The Warriors will look to bounce back from this heartbreaking loss on Tuesday when they face the New York Knicks. As for Charlotte, they will try to build off this huge win on Monday when they face the first-place Utah Jazz.