Draymond Green EJECTED less than four minutes into Golden State Warriors' 101-93 win over the Orlando Magic - and a day after grabbing an opponent by the NECK

Draymond Green was ejected in the first quarter of the Golden State Warriors game against Orlando Magic, but Golden State was able to hold on for a 101-93 victory.

Green had been arguing with officials, first for being called for a personal foul and then when Stephen Curry was called for a shooting foul. 

Green appeared to yell at official Ray Acosta for the call on Curry, prompting Acosta to issue the first technical foul and he followed up with a second when Green kept on going.

The clock has 8:24 left in the first quarter when Green's night was ended.

Following the game, guard Stephen Curry - who managed a double-double - reflected on his teammate's actions.

Draymond Green was given two technical fouls and was ejected from a game vs. the Magic

But Andrew Wiggins (L) and Stephen Curry (R) fought on to give the Warriors a victory

'We need him. He knows that. We all know that,' Curry said of Green. 'So whatever we need to do to keep him on the floor and be available, that's what's got to happen. Especially at this point in the year. It was a tough way to start the game.' 

The victory in spite of Green's early exit comes at a crucial point where the Warriors - who had won an NBA title just two years ago - are only one game on the safe side of the playoff cut line.

That incident led to some emotions pouring out of Curry - who was seen hunched over, wiping his face in his jersey.

'We know how important this part of the season is in our ability to get into a rhythm and secure a play-in opportunity,' Curry said - reflecting on his thoughts in that moment.

'We don't want to give ourselves self-inflicted wounds. We all care. We all are passionate about the game and our chances to have something to play for down the stretch. You give everything you've got to this game. That's the emotion.' 

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called the incident 'unfortunate' but said that his player 'deserved' the ejection. 

It comes a day after Green appeared to grab Miami Heat guard Patty Mills by the neck and drag him down - and three months after he returned from an indefinite ban for hitting Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns in the face.

It came one day after Green was seen dragging Heat guard Patty Mills down by the neck

This is the third ejection of the season for Green. The most recent came in December when he was seen hitting Suns C Jusuf Nurkic in the face that led to a suspension lasting 12 games.

Earlier, Green was ejected and suspended five games for this chokehold on Rudy Gobert

In last-night's game between the Warriors and the Heat, Green was seen tussling with Mills underneath the basket. 

As he tried to go into the lane, Green kept his hand across Mills' chest and dragged him down by the neck as he was going by.

Officials reviewed the play and deemed it a common foul, rather than a flagrant that may have seen him kicked out of the game. 

It's been a long season for Green - who has already faced multiple suspensions for his aggressive on-court behavior.

Green was suspended for what amounted to 12 games after hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face back in December of 2023.

That came nearly a month after Green was suspended for five games after putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a chokehold.

Across his entire NBA career, Green has been ejected 21 times - the second most in NBA history.

The only other player with more suspensions than Green is Rasheed Wallace, who was ejected 29 times across his career.