Warriors' Draymond Green has technical foul rescinded by league

NEW YORK - Draymond Green's day became a bright one once Warriors general manager Bob Myers approached him in an arena hallway.

“I got good news,” Myers told Green.

The NBA had rescinded Green's 15th technical foul that he received against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. That brought his total down to 14, giving him some extra wiggle room with currently being two technicals away from receiving a one-game suspension without pay.

“I was very happy,” Green said following the Warriors' win against the New York Knicks on Monday. “A little breathing room. Just a little bit, though.”

Green was given his 15th technical foul with 1:04 remaining in the second quarter after he was called for a foul on a block attempt against Thunder forward Jerami Grant. Officials took issue with Green taunting, though it was clear he was motioning toward the fans at Oracle Arena to cheer louder.

“I talked to Bob about it after the game. We both felt like it would be rescinded,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He was trying to get the crowd going. He wasn't taunting. He wasn't actually complaining about the call.”

Green certainly was not complaining about the NBA's latest ruling.

“Not necessarily surprised; I thought it was a high possibility it would get rescinded,” Green said. “But I didn't think I did anything wrong.”

SKIPPING WHITE HOUSE

For more than five months, the general public knew the Warriors would not make the customary White House visit to celebrate their 2017 NBA championship. It was not entirely clear, though, how the Warriors would spend their off day on Tuesday in Washington D.C.

Until now.

“We're doing a great thing anyways. The White House is a great honor, but there are some other circumstances where we felt not comfortable going,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said Monday. “We're not going to politicize anything. We're going to hang out with kids, take them to the African-American museum and hopefully teach them some things along the ways with some life lessons. Hopefully we give them some great memories.”

The Warriors did not want to create any memories at the White House. They have often criticized President Donald Trump for his rhetoric regarding social and racial issues, as well as his persistent criticism of NFL athletes who have knelt or sat during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. A day after Warriors guard Stephen Curry said he would refuse to visit the White House during media day, Trump announced in a tweet that he withdrew an invitation the Warriors would have rejected anyway.

TWO THUMBS UP

Kerr received a pleasant surprise at halftime Monday. Then, Warriors rookie forward Jordan Bell told him he did not feel tired in his first appearance after missing the previous 14 games with inflammation in his left ankle. Bell eventually finished with three points and three assists in 13 minutes off the bench.

“I expected him to be more tired, but I thought he came through it really well,” Kerr said. “It was a good comeback for him.”

The Warriors started Bell on a minutes restriction, but will the team loosen that up for today's game against the Wizards?

“Our rotation is relatively fluid based on matchups. So we'll see,” Kerr said. “But we'd like to get him some more minutes, if possible.”

MOVING ON

Kerr's return to New York always provides another reminder of his coaching crossroads. He declined the New York Knicks' job offer in the 2014 offseason, and opted for the Warriors instead. Golden State has won two NBA titles in three Finals appearances, while the Knicks missed the playoffs during Phil Jackson's time as president in three seasons before he departed last summer.

“I don't look back. I'm obviously very happy with the Warriors and lucky to coach these players and lucky to work with Bob Myers and Joe Lacob,” Kerr said. “I'm a California native. I'm where I'm supposed to be.”