John Wall Fined $15,000 for Criticizing Officials After Loss vs. Jazz

The NBA announced Washington Wizards guard John Wall was fined $15,000 for criticizing the officials following his team's 95-88 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Wall was whistled for a technical foul—his 15th of the season—when he made contact with Rudy Gobert low while fighting through a screen.

His comments also indicated he was upset the Jazz attempted 31 free throws while Washington shot just 16, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com):

"

I haven't been saying nothing to the refs lately because I know what situation I've been in, but the way they've been officiating today doesn't make no sense. You shoot 31 free throws to 16. We're an aggressive team that attacks the basket. That don't make no sense. I had to get [my arm] bandaged up because I'm bleeding and the ref tells me that's not a foul. It's getting out of hand.

"

He also directly blamed the officials for the loss: "We didn't lose this game. The refs made us lose this game."

It was a costly loss for the newly-fined Wall and the Wizards, who are battling for position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They enter Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors with a 46-30 record, which is tied with the Toronto Raptors for third in the East.