NBA fines Rockets' Ime Udoka, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun

Field Level Media|published: Thu 5th December, 15:17 2024

Dec 3, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is ejected by referee John Goble (10) during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Thursday, two days following his actions during the team's 120-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings in an NBA Cup game.

Udoka was docked for confronting and directing profane language toward a game official, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected and public criticism of the officiating.

Udoka wasn't alone as forward Tari Eason was fined $35,000 by the NBA for tossing a towel and using inappropriate language in the direction of a fan after the game. Also, Sengun found himself $15,000 lighter in his wallet by the league after directing inappropriate language toward a game official.

Udoka and Sengun were both assessed technical fouls and ejected with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.

Udoka wasn't shy about letting reporters know how he felt referee John Goble called the game.

"Missed calls, blatant missed calls right in front of you," Udoka said. "You're calling ticky tack moving screens, little (expletive) like that, but you don't want to call the obvious ones right in front of you. That was it. Thought (Sengun) got fouled a few times on that drive and on the layup and they don't want to call it. So I told him to get some (expletive) glasses and open your eyes."

--Field Level Media

Latest