NBA

Draymond Green earns Flagrant 1 for kicking James Harden in face

Mike Coppinger
USA TODAY

Draymond Green kicked someone — again.

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green was issued a Flagrant 1 during the team's double overtime loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

Late in the second overtime period of the Houston Rockets'132-127 victory over the Golden State Warriors, Green was fouled by James Harden but flung his leg up on the way down following a shot, catching Harden with a foot to the face.

The play, which left Harden grabbing his head in pain, was ruled a Flagrant 1. Official description from the NBA league office: "unnatural leg extension."

It was a pivotal moment, sending Harden to the free-throw line for two shots and possession. Harden drilled both after Green connected on one of two to put the Rockets up for good.

It was impossible to tell if it was intentional, but Green has a history of this sort of conduct.

He nailed Oklahoma City Thunder big man Steven Adams in the groin — twice — during the 2016 Western Conference Finals.

Green, of course, went on to also hit LeBron James in the area, resulting in a one-game suspension that seemed to turn the tide for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Harden registered yet another triple-double, notching 29 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists in Thursday's win.