Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Thursday for his actions late in Tuesday’s 120-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
With just under two minutes left in the match, Udoka was assessed two technical fouls and sent off for confronting and directing profane language towards referee John Goble.
Udoka’s “inability to leave the field in time and use of profane language towards the referees both during the match and during his post-match media session” were factors in the punishment, he said. a statement from the NBA.
The Rockets coach was upset that Sengun was physically defended by Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis but was not called for a foul.
A look at how Ime Udoka was sent off along with Alperin Sengun. This spirited game ends with a frustrated Rockets team falling to the Kings tonight as Mike Brown clears his bench. pic.twitter.com/uFcmDTnylR
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 4, 2024
‘Obviously missed calls. Calling moving screens and stuff like that,” Udoka said afterwards when asked what he said to Goble. “Then you don’t want to call the obvious one in front of you. That was it. Alpy got fouled a couple of times on that drive, on the layup, and they didn’t want to call it. They said they had to call a few Take Damn glasses, open your eyes.”
“Obvious missed calls. Moving screens and stuff like that. Tell them to open some damn glasses.” -Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/SZJJ3bWYPK
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 4, 2024
In addition, Alperin Sengun of Houston was fined $15,000 for “directing inappropriate language at a game official.” He also received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game.
Tari Eason was fined $35,000 for “throwing a towel and directing inappropriate language toward a fan in the spectator stands after the game ended.”
As Eason left the field and walked through the tunnel, he responded to comments from a fan, as reported by Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Eason then attempted to enter the stands, ran up the ramp leading to the lower concourse of the Golden 1 Center and almost reached the fan section when nearby security officials were able to stop him. Eason, who was stopped from behind by an official and from the front by another who jumped over a nearby railing to block his path, relented after a few moments and headed for the locker room.”
Eason was placed on concussion protocol on Wednesday after feeling dizzy and a headache following Tuesday’s game, according to The Athletic.
Despite Tuesday’s loss, the Rockets advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals by winning West Group A with a 3-1 record. Houston will host the Golden State Warriors next Wednesday (December 11).
Houston continues its three-game road trip against the Warriors on Thursday, followed by a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Rockets are currently ranked #2 in the Western Conference with a 15–7 record.
