Chris Paul Comments on Referees After Clippers Receive 5 Technicals vs. Cavs
Los Angeles Clippers All-Star point guard Chris Paul was frustrated after a 105-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday that wasn't as close as the final score indicated.
Paul vented about the officiating, particularly from rookie Lauren Holtkamp, when referees assessed the Clippers five technical fouls. He picked up a technical and a flagrant foul on the night.
Paul has been fined $25,000 for his comments.
Continue for updates.
Paul Fined $25,000 for Comments
Saturday, Feb. 7
Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported Paul has been fined $25,000 for his comments.
NBAPA President Michele Roberts Offers Paul Support
Friday, Feb. 6
SportsCenter provided NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts' full statement in support of Paul:
Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reported Paul's take Thursday night:
NBA Refs Association Responds to Paul's Comments
Friday, Feb. 6
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski noted the NBA Referees Association's response to Paul:
Chris Paul Sounds off on Referees Following Loss to Cavaliers
Thursday, Feb. 5
Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding has the details of Paul's critique, along with some context regarding Holtkamp's background:
Sam Amick of USA Today weighed in on what type of discipline Paul could face from the NBA:
Paul later expounded on the situation, claiming Holtkamp gave him a technical for what seemed like an innocuous exchange, per Arash Markazi of ESPN.com:
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was heard yelling in front of Holtkamp before she called a technical foul on him, and he also weighed in, via Ding:
When Cleveland center Timofey Mozgov went up toward the rim earlier in the game, Paul received a flagrant foul for wrapping his arm around the big man's neck, so it was a tough night for him overall. He finished just 4-of-14 shooting for 10 points, although he did chip in nine assists with zero turnovers. That L.A. came up flat in such a big game and Matt Barnes was ejected for two technical fouls only added to the disappointment.
Thursday marked the third loss in four games for the Clippers, who will play in Toronto on Friday in the sixth contest in an eight-game road trip.
