Watch: Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green ejected – again – after putting a chokehold on Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert

The chippy rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves escalated into a full-blown melee Tuesday night.

Golden State forward Draymond Green, guard Klay Thompson and Minnesota guard Jaden Daniels were ejected for fighting – highlighted by Green placing a chokehold on Timberwolves’ center Rudy Gobert – less than two minutes into the game.

The game was scoreless when Thompson and Daniels started shoving, pulling at each other’s jerseys while swinging each other around as they moved down the court. Gobert rushed in and wrapped his arms around Thompson. Green swooped in and pulled Gobert away from behind with his arm around the center’s neck. Green refused to let go of Gobert, despite what looked like pleas from Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr.

Gobert, who said he was trying to “de-escalate the situation” by pulling Thompson away from the fracas, called Green’s actions “clown behavior.”

“I was telling myself that Steph (Curry) is not playing, so I know Draymond is going to try and get ejected,” Gobert told reporters after the game, won by Minnesota 104-101. “Because every time Steph doesn’t play, he doesn’t want to play – it’s his guy Steph. He’ll do anything he can to get ejected.”

Gobert added that Green’s chokehold “wasn’t a good enough choke to put me to sleep.”

Kerr said after the game the reason Green grabbed Gobert was because it appeared Gobert had Thompson by the neck. The officials disagreed and ejected Green, his second ejection in his past four games.

Gobert hinted he thinks Green should be suspended by the league.

“I do hope that the league is going to do what needs to be done,” Gobert told reporters.

Green and Gobert have a history dating back to last season.

When Green punched former teammate Jordan Poole during a training camp practice, Gobert tweeted “Insecurity is always loud.” When Gobert took a swing at Kyle Anderson during the Timberwolves’ final regular-season game last season, Green responded with the same tweet. In addition, Green and Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards were jawing back-and-forth during a game on Sunday night.