Video: Caron Butler shot block decks referee Derek Richardson

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By Ben Golliver

Caron Butler blocked a Serge Ibaka shot into the head of NBA referee Derek Richardson, knocking the official to the ground, during a Tuesday night game between the Clippers and Thunder at the Staples Center.

With a little more than two minutes remaining in the second quarter and the Thunder leading 44-39, Butler played aggressive perimeter defense on Kevin Durant, forcing him to give up the ball to Ibaka with the shot clock winding down. Ibaka struggled to create a shot for himself on DeAndre Jordan, and Butler snuck in behind to swat the attempt towards the baseline, where Richardson was standing. Butler's block attempt was clean and forceful, carrying the ball directly into the face of Richardson, stunning him and causing him to fall to the floor.

From his spot resting on the ground, Richardson signaled that the Thunder retained possession. Nick Collison kindly helped him to his feet and he was able to continue officiating. Richardson had the look of a man who knew he was about to star in a decade's worth of blooper videos.

Check out the top-down replay below.

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Second video via @DailyThunder