A transition take foul by Draymond Green on rookie Zach Edey that the Memphis Grizzlies took exception to after Friday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors has been upgraded to a flagrant 1 following league review.
The foul occurred with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter of a 123-118 Golden State win.
Green lost the ball as he was driving around Jaren Jackson Jr. and fell into the paint at Edey’s feet. Edey picked up the ball for a steal and immediately threw an outlet pass to start a Grizzlies fast break. Green’s left elbow got tangled with Edey’s right foot, and the Grizzlies center tripped over Green’s sprawled out left leg.
“It definitely wasn’t a basketball play,” Edey said.
The play was ruled a transition take foul at the time and was not reviewed.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins complimented Edey’s game — he finished with 14 points and nine rebounds — before expressing disappointment that officials did not take a second look at the foul.
“Overall, thought he was really good,” Jenkins said of Edey. “And very disappointing, there was that one play, we were about to start the break and he’s been playing really hard to try to outlet, and Draymond grabs his leg and pulls him down and it doesn’t get reviewed.
“So I know there’s a code in this league, and I don’t understand how that wasn’t reviewed. Very disappointing.”
A flagrant foul 1, if it had been called during the game, would have awarded the Grizzlies two free throws and possession.
Green has had a history of questionable fouls. He was suspended last season for hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face.
This is Green’s first flagrant foul this season.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
