The Golden State Warriors won their fifth straight game on Monday, defeating the Phoenix Suns 116-113.

The Suns were in control through three quarters, leading by as many as 17 points, before the Warriors made their comeback and closed things out in the fourth quarter.

Early in the third quarter, Draymond Green was ejected after tossing Khaman Maluach to the ground and then grabbing the jersey of Dillon Brooks up around the throat as Brooks ran over to stick up for his teammate and confront Draymond.

Draymond was assessed a double technical, leading to his removal from the game.

The Warriors were down 65-57 at this point, and though the Phoenix lead would grow to double digits, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr explained how Draymond’s removal opened things up for the team.

Kerr began by praising Charles Bassey for his rebounding and scoring, and said that the pick-and-roll between Yaxel Lendeborg and Bassey was working with Draymond out.

“It changed the game for Phoenix because they decided to go small after that,” said Kerr, noting that it opened up the game for Golden State more and the crowd started to get into things more.

In 16 minutes of action, Draymond was a -6, though most of the starters didn’t fare well in the +/- category, as four of the five starters were minus players.

Only Stephen Curry was a positive, finishing as a +21 and scoring 34 points.

Bassey getting more minutes seemed to benefit the Warriors as he was able to punish the Suns on the inside, going 7-for-10 and getting to the line six times, knocking down five of his free throw attempts.

Bassey had eight rebounds to go along with 19 points.

With no Draymond, the ball was in Yaxel’s hands a bit more as a creator, as alluded to Kerr in commenting that they ran more Yaxel and Bassey pick-and-rolls.

Yaxel finished with five assists to go along with his 16 points.

Though the Warriors didn’t shoot the ball well in the fourth quarter, knocking down only five field goal attempts and going 27% from the field, they put pressure on the Suns defense and got to the free throw line 13 times, knocking down 12 attempts.

The Warriors never want to lose Draymond because of his presence on the defensive side of the floor, but their offense opens up far more when he’s not on the floor, as they have a 113.8 rating with him playing and a 121.7 rating with him off.

Putting the ball in Yaxel’s hands more and adding extra space paid off on Monday.