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Kerr offers sarcasm in defense of Steph Curry's mouthpiece toss at ref

So here’s a new one: two MVP winners walk into Memphis. Both get thrown out.

That’s the punch line and the reality. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were both ejected late in the fourth quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ 111-101 loss to the Grizzlies and there may be some fines to pay as well.

With Golden State attempting a comeback down eight with less than a minute to play, Curry drove for a layup and knocked it down through contact. He thought he drew a foul on the play and became incensed when it wasn’t immediately called. So, naturally, Curry threw his mouthguard in the direction of the referee.

Steph gonna Steph, we suppose.

The refs wasted no time throwing Curry out of the game and the Warriors began to run their mouths a bit as their captain was told to leave the court.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP)

It was during the fracas that followed that Durant also managed to draw the ref’s ire and found himself ejected as well. Durant made his way off the floor while flashing his ring finger toward the jeering crowd. (You make the call on whether it was a sly bird.)

It makes you wonder how long KD has been waiting to use that move. And, honestly, it’s hard to blame a first-time reigning champion for breaking out that little bit of showmanship.

Curry will likely hear more about all this from the league than Durant. There’s no tolerance for throwing your equipment toward a referee. A fine is likely. A suspension is not out of question.

When asked about it after the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr joked that the mouthguard toss put fans in harms way.

Given the chance to comment on an ejection that didn’t include himself, Draymond Green followed Kerr’s lead and jokingly offered to counsel his teammates on keeping their emotions in check.

Green as the voice of reason in the Warriors locker room is quite the change.

This is not the start the Warriors were looking for at all. Golden State is 1-2 to open the year and will now have to answer questions about keeping their composure on the court. Then again, it’s only the third game of the season. Golden State is the defending champions. Let’s everyone settle down a bit and stop throwing things.

Particularly those things that are covered in spit.

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were both ejected late in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies after Curry threw his mouthguard towards a referee (AP)
Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were both ejected late in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies after Curry threw his mouthguard towards a referee (AP)

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Blake Schuster is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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