NBA Fines Cavaliers Coach Kenny Atkinson $50,000 for Post-Ejection Confrontation
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NEW YORK — The NBA has issued a $50,000 fine to Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson for pursuing and verbally confronting a referee after he was thrown out of Friday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
League executive vice president of basketball operations James Jones announced the penalty on Saturday. According to the league, Atkinson “aggressively pursued, berated, and made inadvertent contact” with the official moments after receiving his second technical foul.
The incident occurred with 10:59 remaining in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 126-113 defeat at Phoenix. Atkinson’s frustration stemmed from what he believed was a missed foul on Suns guard Collin Gillespie, who was closely defending Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill.
Friday’s loss snapped Cleveland’s five-game winning streak. The Cavaliers return to action Sunday when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
Source: ESPN
