The NBA on Friday fined Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic $35,000 and Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams $20,000 for criticizing referee decisions.
Doncic was in the crosshairs for insinuating that the referee for the game against the Golden State Warriors was bought after an uncalled foul against inside Draymond Green. On the images of the match, we see him rubbing the thumb and index finger of his left hand and then shaking his head.
Official: Luka Dončić is fined $35,000 for making this gesture to the referees at the end of the game against the Warriors on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/XRb6wblExK
— Dallas Mavs France (@DallasMavsFr)
March 24, 2023
The League sanctioned the brilliant Slovenian point guard for “having made an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture towards a referee” which occurred 1.7 seconds from the end of the game lost at home 127-125 Wednesday against the defending champions of the NBA.
Suns coach Monty Williams was fined $20,000 for publicly criticizing the referees in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers three days earlier.
Defeated 122-111, Williams noted the Lakers had 46 free throws to just 20 for the Suns, trailing 21 points on the line.
“Where do you see a 46 free throw game for one team? It’s just not right, Williams fumed. I don’t care how you slice it, it happens to us too much. »
“I’m tired of always talking about free throws. Our guys have to do their job. We understand that. But it’s a huge disparity, 46-20,” Williams complained again.
Suns star Chris Paul, for his part, spoke of “crazy stuff” about the whistles.
Monty Williams said he raised the issues with NBA basketball operations manager Joe Dumars, who fined him.
The Suns are fourth in the Western Conference, with a record of 38 wins and 34 losses, ten games from the end of the regular season.
