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 game, Udoka received two technical fouls and was ejected for confronting and directing profane language toward referee John Goble.
Udoka’s “failure to leave the court in a timely manner and his use of profane language towards the referees, both in the game and in his post-game media session” were factors in the sanction, according to 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 expelled, along with Alperin Sengun. This hectic game ends with a frustrated Rockets team falling to the Kings tonight as Mike Brown unloads his bench. pic.twitter.com/uFcmDTnylR
– Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 4, 2024
“Blatant missed calls. Calling moving screens and stuff like that.” Udoka said later when asked what he said to Goble. “Then you don’t want to call the obvious ones right in front of you. That was it. Alpy got fouled a few times on that drive, on the layup and they didn’t want to call it. I told them to get something Damn glasses, open your eyes.”
“Blatant missed calls. Moving screens that tick and nonsense like that. I told them to get some damn glasses and open their eyes.” -Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/SZJJ3bWYPK
-Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 4, 2024
Udoka’s fine comes nearly a year after he was docked $25,000 for his language directed at a referee during a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Additionally, Alperin Sengun of Houston was fined $15,000 for “directing inappropriate language toward 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 at a fan in the stands after the game.”
As Eason left the court and walked through the tunnel, he responded to a fan’s comments, it was reported. Athletic’s Sam Amick.
“Eason then attempted to enter the stands, ran up the ramp leading to the lower concourse of the Golden 1 Center and nearly made it to the fan section when nearby security officers were able to stop him. Eason, who was restrained from behind by a official and in front by another who jumped over a nearby railing to prevent his passage, gave in after a few moments and went to the locker room.”
Eason entered concussion protocol Wednesday after experiencing dizziness and headaches after Tuesday’s game. according to El Atlético.
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 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Rockets currently sit in second place in the Western Conference with a 15-7 record.