Green: I punched Harden's wrist because he pinched me

Stuff happens in the trenches. That was basically Draymond Green's explanation for Friday night's swipe at James Harden's sore left wrist - an incident that's been universally decried as "dirty."

"He pinched me, so I punched his wrist," Green said after the Warriors' 107-98 win over the Rockets, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins. "That's pretty much it. He does it often actually, which is kind of adolescent, but whatever."

Green might be right. Before he whacks Harden, the latter's hand can be seen tightening on Green's midsection.

(Photo courtesy: NBA League Pass)

Green was instantly whistled for a foul on the play, sending him to the bench in what was a rough outing for the provocateur forward.

Harden has been playing with a sore left shooting wrist for almost two weeks, and said he's trying to "limit banging on it."