Clippers’ Paul George Fined for Criticizing Referees
Clippers forward Paul George publicly voiced his gripes against officiating after Tuesday’s NBA in-season tournament matchup against the Nuggets. But those remarks will cost him.
George was fined $35,000 by the league on Thursday. A statement issued by the NBA said that the 14-year veteran’s history of publicly criticizing referees was a factor in determining the amount of the penalty.
The Clippers lost to the reigning NBA champions on Tuesday, 111–108, despite George’s 35 points. He told reporters afterward that the loss was largely based on the three referees on the court.
“I thought we played great. It’s tough, the adversity of playing against the extra three,” George said. “I thought they were awful but, the defending champs, we’ve got to play better.”
“So many times I got hit on layups, three-pointers,” he added. “It was constant. Jump shots, getting hit, smacked on the forearm. It was a poor job.”
Including Tuesday’s defeat, the Clippers have lost six consecutive games. They haven’t won since James Harden joined the team after being acquired from the 76ers. Los Angeles will try to end that skid Friday night with an in-season tournament matchup at home versus the Rockets.
