Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has expressed empathy for Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who was indefinitely suspended by the NBA after hitting Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic in the face on Tuesday.

Gobert and Green have a history of on-court clashes, including a chokehold incident last month that resulted in Green's suspension for five games. Despite their history, Gobert said he understands why the NBA suspended Green indefinitely and believes the league is right to take action when players' safety is at risk.

"I have empathy for him," Gobert said. "You see somebody that's not well inside and suffering. You take away the game and all that, and you want somebody to be well and be able to do what we do every night and compete and be happy."

Gobert added that he doesn't have an opinion on the possible length of Green's suspension, but he believes the league has no other choice but to take action when players' safety is at risk.

Green, for his part, apologized to Nurkic after the incident and said he didn't mean to hit him in the face. He also said that he's the type of guy who says sorry when he knows he did something wrong.

"I've done things that have gotten me taken out of the game, and all of those things I've stood on," Green said. "I don't back down from those things. I don't back down from something because of what a suspension may or may not be. I'm not that person."

"I am very much so the person that I say I am. I only apologize for things if I did not mean to do them. I don't just come out apologizing just to save my ass. That's not who I am. But I didn't mean to do it, which is why I wanted to apologize."

The NBA's indefinite suspension of Green could have a significant impact on the Warriors' playoff hopes. Green is a key contributor to the team's defense and playmaking ability, and his absence will be felt on both ends of the court.