After rallying from a 15-point deficit and avoiding a fourth straight home loss, the Oklahoma City Thunder were left frustrated by Russell Westbrook’s late ejection.
Oklahoma City was up 91-77 with 2:51 left when Westbrook was hit with two technicals and ejected after he complained about being called for traveling on a play on which he thought he’d been fouled
After the Thunder finished off the Kings 95-88, teammate Carmelo Anthony spoke out against the officiating, according to ESPN’s Royce Young.
“I’m done with them,” Anthony said, cutting off a question about the officials. “I’m done with the refs. No disrespect, but I’m done with those guys.”
…
Westbrook did not speak with reporters following the game, leaving the locker room before it was open to the media. It marked the second consecutive home game Westbrook has left the arena without speaking with reporters.
…
Following Westbrook’s ejection, Thunder coach Billy Donovan was assessed a technical foul, as well. Buddy Hield hit all three free throws, cutting the Thunder’s lead to eight with 2:50 remaining, and in possession of the ball. Asked if he and Westbrook need to be more aware of the situation when getting technicals, Donovan was direct.
“I don’t, because the official made a terrible mistake, and he acknowledged it,” he said. “I was yelling to the other official across the floor to get his attention and the guy just T’d me up. And he came by and apologized to me, so I definitely didn’t deserve a T. I know when I deserve one. I didn’t get a full glimpse to see what Russell did at that moment, so I’m not going to comment for him, but I know what happened with me and that was really, really unfortunate and he even acknowledged that.
“I was yelling to the other official and he had every opportunity to say, ‘Billy, wait a second, we’ll get to you,’ but he just turned and T’d me up. I’ve been doing this long enough, I know when I’m getting close to a T, or when I deserve a T, that was totally undeserved and should not have been called.”