Why Naz Reid Was Ejected by NBA Refs Explained in Pool Report After Wolves' Win vs. Durant, Rockets
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid earned an ejection in overtime of Wednesday's 110-108 win over the Houston Rockets because he "questioned the integrity" of the referee crew.
At the 4:13 mark of the extra period, Reid was whistled for an offensive foul, which was upheld after a review. Almost immediately after the announcement was made, he got ejected.
Crew chief Scott Foster addressed the decision after the game:
Reid's absence didn't ultimately cost Minnesota in the end. Guard Donte DiVincenzo hit a game-tying three-pointer with 55.5 seconds remaining before forward Julius Randle connected on a mid-range jumper in the waning moments.
Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press explained how Reid's ejection was only the most recent contentious ruling made against the Wolves by Foster. Back on Christmas Day, Foster gave star Anthony Edwards a one-way ticket to the locker room in OT of a 142-138 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
According to Timberwolves insider Dane Moore, one player said, "That s--t didn't work, Scott Foster," in the tunnel after Wednesday's game.
Star center Rudy Gobert told reporters he didn't want to dwell on Reid's ejection in the moment.
"Just try to believe in the basketball gods," he said. "Just keep trying to compete, play winning basketball and control what you can control."
Whenever Foster officiated games involving legendary point guard Chris Paul, fans of Paul's teams came to sense a level of dread because CP3 inevitably lost. The trend became too big to ignore.
Foster might be inspiring a similar feeling within Minnesota's fanbase.
