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Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for directing profane language at the officiating crew during the final moments of Houston’s 104-98 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
With the Rockets trailing by five points and only 4.3 seconds left in the game, VanVleet was called for an offensive foul, which led to a heated reaction. As he walked off the court, he confronted all three referees, resulting in a technical foul and his subsequent ejection. According to crew chief Courtney Kirkland, VanVleet's actions included vulgar language and pointing at the officials.
Kirkland explained the situation during a pool report, saying, “VanVleet was ejected on one technical foul for his vulgar language and pointing at all three officials.” The frustration appeared to stem from a non-call just before the offensive foul when VanVleet was attempting a 3-point shot.
Explanation from Officials
Kirkland added that after reviewing the play, the officials determined that a foul should have been called on VanVleet's previous 3-point attempt. The defender had made contact with VanVleet’s hip, which warranted a foul, but not a shooting foul. Instead, the Rockets guard would have been awarded two free throws, giving him an opportunity to narrow the gap and possibly tie the game.
VanVleet Reflects on the Situation
VanVleet, in his ninth NBA season, acknowledged his frustration with the officiating during a postgame interview.
He reflected, "I think I'm in enough trouble as it is tonight. Probably don't need to discuss too much officiating. I know the refs are not trying to be wrong, but we disagreed quite a bit tonight."
The guard, who leads the Rockets in assists (6.1 per game) and ranks third in scoring (14.5 points per game), also shared his thoughts on the earlier play. Before the offensive foul, VanVleet had attempted a wild three-pointer, hoping for a foul from the Blazers.
Foul Not Called on Previous Possession
VanVleet’s frustration seemed to build from an earlier play in the game when no foul was called for contact against him on his three-point attempt. After the game, Kirkland admitted that a foul should have been called on that play.
He explained, “In live action, we felt that the defender stayed directly on the path of VanVleet during his attempted motion toward the basket. After video review, we see the defender did close space and did make contact with the hip of VanVleet and a foul should have been called. However, shots would not have been awarded on the play.”
VanVleet’s Anticipation of a Foul
On the final possession, VanVleet appeared to anticipate the Blazers would intentionally foul to prevent a three-point play, a common strategy in close-game situations.
"Most teams foul up three now, So, driving down the court, listening to their whole team yell foul to the guy on the ball [Toumani Camara], trying to take the foul. Anticipated it a little bit. The ref told me he didn't think there was much contact. Trying, obviously, to get some points on the board, knowing they were going to take a foul up three," VanVleet said.
The Rockets guard's emotional outburst and the subsequent fine will likely be a point of reflection as the team moves forward in the season.
Ball's incident
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $100,000 (£79,000) by the NBA for making an offensive, hurtful and derogatory homophobic remark. The 23-year-old made the comment during a postgame interview following the Hornets' 115-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
