Draymond Green on James Harden: ‘He pinched me. So, I punched his wrist’ (video)

James Harden is playing through an ailing left wrist – and he wants you to know he’s still playing every game.

So, you can bet Draymond Green knew about the injury.

But the Warriors forward said there was another reason behind chopping Harden’s wrist during Golden State’s win over the Rockets last night.

Chris Haynes of ESPN:

Draymond Green said he punched James Harden's wrist because he pinched him. pic.twitter.com/iTnrdlCqZV

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 1, 2017

Green:

He pinched me. So, I punched his wrist.

He does it often, actually, which is kind of adolescent. But whatever.

Defenders commonly put their hands on the chest or stomach of players they’re guarding. Adding a pinch is a different twist. When a defender puts his hand on a player, the offensive player often slaps it way. This game of cat and mouse occurs numerous times through every game.

Green used a common tactic for that situation (sans pinch). His biggest transgression was getting caught and called for an offensive foul, though if Harden pinched him, that could explain why Green retaliated so aggressively.

But this definitely didn’t seem dirty on Green’s part. If Harden can’t handle having his wrist hacked away, he shouldn’t defend by grabbing the front of his man’s jersey -- let alone pinching through it.