NBA: Minnesota investigates racial slurs against Draymond Green

The Timberwolves have launched an investigation after a fan was accused of making racist remarks toward Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green during Game 2 of the NBA playoffs in Minneapolis, the Minnesota franchise announced Friday. The Wolves, who defeated the Warriors 117-93 the day before, said in a statement that a fan was ejected from the arena during the fourth quarter for violating the NBA's fan code of conduct.

A second person, accused by other fans of making " racially offensive " comments against Green, left the Target Center before his identity could be verified, the statement said. " The team continues its investigation and further action may be taken ," the franchise added. "The Timberwolves and the Target Center are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and safe environment for all. Racist, hateful or threatening behavior has no place at our games or in our community and will not be tolerated under any circumstances ."

Draymond Green was roundly booed after deliberately elbowing Wolves inside player Naz Reid, earning him a technical foul in the second quarter. Green, a regular at this point, already has five technical fouls and two Grade 1 flagrant fouls, and faces an automatic suspension if he receives two more technical fouls. His teammates struggled to contain him to prevent a second technical foul, which would send him back to the locker room.

After the game, Green told reporters he believed he was being unfairly targeted. “ I’m tired of being portrayed as an angry Black man ,” he said. “ I’m good at basketball, I’m good at what I do. The goal of continuing to portray me as an angry Black man is insane. I’m tired of it. It’s ridiculous ,” he said.

The Wolves and Warriors are tied 1-1 in the Western Conference semifinals, heading into the next two meetings in California starting Sunday.