Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing refereeing and questioning the integrity of game officials after Wednesday night’s win over the Golden State Warriors, the NBA announced Friday.Lue was seen barking at the officials on the sideline after Mason Plumlee and Brandin Podziemski collided, causing a small altercation on the court between the Clippers and Warriors.
Although it is not known exactly what he said, the coach’s comments were enough for the referees to send Lue to the locker room early. Clippers star James Harden had to step in and stop Lue from confronting the officials after the ejection and making the situation worse.Trailing by nine points at that point with just over nine minutes remaining, the Clippers took a solid 130-125 victory before the All-Star break. Immediately after the win, Lue rushed from the locker room to greet his team in the tunnel.
With that, Lue mocked the officials.”Where are the refs now? Cheating**. That’s what they do,” Lue yelled after the game, via HoopJab . “Where’s James? Judge, I want to kick him in the mouth.”Lue, who was clearly frustrated with the way the officials handled his throw, was reprimanded by the league on Friday. His suspension and fine were likely increased due to his post-match comments in the tunnel.The Clippers are 36-17 at the All-Star break, just two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the Western Conference..
