NBA issues fines to Rockets following Ime Udoka’s angry outburst and Tari Eason’s encounter with a fan
The NBA has imposed multiple fines on the Houston Rockets after their head coach, Ime Udoka, launched a profane tirade at the referees, and one of the players had a confrontation with a spectator.
These fines were issued following the Rockets’ 120-111 defeat to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, during which both Udoka and two players were penalized for their behavior.
Toward the end of the fourth quarter, with the Rockets trailing by 12 points, Udoka was ejected after confronting a referee over a call involving center Alperen Sengun. He followed the referee in an attempt to continue the argument but was restrained by other coaches. Sengun was also thrown out of the game.
After the game, Udoka expressed his frustration to the media regarding the “blatant missed calls” while claiming that “ticky-tack fouls, moving screens, and (expletive) like that” were being called. He also pointed out one of the game’s officials for poor performance.
(Sengun) was fouled multiple times during that drive, and on the layup, but those calls just weren’t being made. I told him, ‘Get some (expletive) glasses. Open your eyes,'” Udoka remarked. “Leave your emotions and sensitivity aside and officiate the game correctly. It’s obvious right in front of you, and John Goble—or whoever it was—saw it but didn’t call it, and I made him aware.”
In addition, after the match, forward Tari Eason had a close encounter with a fan. As Eason headed to the locker room, he reacted to a heckler by tossing a towel and shouting obscenities. He then tried to step into the stands to confront the fan, but security stopped him before any fight could break out.
Fines imposed on Rockets by NBA
As a result of their actions during the game, the NBA issued the following fines to Houston Rockets members:
- Ime Udoka: $50,000
- Alperen Sengun: $15,000
- Tari Eason: $35,000
Udoka was fined for “confronting and using profanity towards a game official, as well as not leaving the court promptly after his ejection” in addition to his negative comments about officiating in the press conference.
The NBA described Eason’s fine as a result of “throwing a towel and using inappropriate language towards fans in the stands.” Sengun received a fine for directing inappropriate comments at a referee.
