After Draymond Green criticized him for not shaking hands with the Golden State Warriors after their Game 7 victory, Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis has broken his silence on the matter.
When asked by reporters about Green’s reaction to his decision not to shake hands, Sabonis said, “I don’t know how to respond.” At first, Sabonis tried to explain his actions, but he quickly realized he had no answer to Green’s tirade and chose to step back.
"Lost a lot of respect for Sabonis. You don't shake guys hands after you lose? I don't respect that… You lost, deal with it. Pay your respect."
— Draymond Green
(via @TheVolumeSports)pic.twitter.com/34OfVkYOkd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 1, 2023
While some wonder if Sabonis recognized that he was wrong not to pay respect to the Warriors after their win, there’s no going back now. The 26-year-old was clearly devastated at the time, which may have led him to walk away without acknowledging the Warriors’ victory.
“It’s not exactly a sportsmanlike gesture, so perhaps this could be another learning experience for Domantas Sabonis and the rest of the Kings,” suggested the writer.
Green had accused Sabonis of lacking respect for his opponents and described the player’s actions as “disrespectful.” “I lost a lot of respect for Sabonis,” Green said. “That’s just not what you do. It’s disrespectful.”
Sabonis had a fantastic series, with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists in Game 7. Unfortunately, the Kings were unable to overcome the Warriors and suffered a heartbreaking loss, which may have contributed to Sabonis’s emotional reaction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjJ6i1gBZmw
Regardless of the circumstances, it’s important to remember that sportsmanship is crucial in athletics. In defeat, as well as in victory, players should always show respect for their opponents. Sabonis’s actions, whether intentional or not, serve as a reminder of this.
The Feud Continues: Draymond Green Criticizes Sabonis for Not Shaking Hands After Game 7 Loss
Draymond Green criticized Domantas Sabonis for not shaking hands with his opponents after the Sacramento Kings’ Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Green expressed his disappointment on “The Draymond Green Show” and said, “Lost a lot of respect for Sabonis… You lost, deal with it. Pay your respect.” Sabonis did not shake hands with the Warriors after the game, which is a common sportsmanship practice.
Domantas Sabonis didn't have much of a response to Draymond Green's comments about losing respect for him after not shaking hands after Game 7. pic.twitter.com/VUkSAuHMQk
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) May 1, 2023
The rivalry between the two players started in Game 2 when Sabonis fell to the ground and got his arms entangled with Green’s left leg. Green then stepped on Sabonis’ chest and jumped forward to regain his balance, receiving a flagrant 2 foul and an ejection. Sabonis was also given a technical foul.
Sabonis was disappointed with how the altercation went down, saying, “There is no room for that in our game today.” The series was the only first-round matchup that went seven games, with the young Kings pushing the defending champions to the brink of elimination. Despite the tension between Green and Sabonis, Green was seen shaking hands and giving advice to other Kings players after the game.
