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Ex-Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet may be in some hot water after getting into a fiery verbal altercation with a crew of NBA officials on Saturday night.
During the end of a game between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers, the 30-year-old VanVleet was ejected from the game after he pointed to each of the officials and said something. The altercation was apparently due to the ex-Raptor thinking he had been fouled on the previous play.
After getting ejected, things came close to becoming physical as VanVleet continued to verbally spar with one of the officials and nearly touched one ref’s face as he was pointing.
“I think I’m in enough trouble as it is tonight, so I probably don’t need to discuss too much officiating with you guys,” VanVleet reportedly said after the game, according to The Athletic‘s Kelly Iko.
“Heat of the moment, you always feel right — I know the refs aren’t trying to be wrong but we disagreed quite a bit tonight.”
Fred VanVleet is going to be suspended for a lot of games pic.twitter.com/x6cQSyG65V
— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) November 24, 2024
This type of altercation with the officials on the court is sure to result in some sort of supplementary discipline for VanVleet. This wouldn’t be the first time that he would be punished for letting his thoughts be known about the officiating of an NBA game.
I’m with Fred on this one
— Mavilier (@Maviliers) November 24, 2024
Back in March of 2023, while a member of the Raptors, VanVleet let loose an expletive-filled post-game rant about the officials following a loss to the LA Clippers. The NBA fined him $30,000 for that particular outburst.
Even though Fred VanVleet took it too far, what the heck is wrong with the NBA refs this season? Their calls have been wildly inconsistent.
— Paul Whittingham (@pawhittingham) November 24, 2024
NBA fans were sure to share their thoughts on this current situation on social media.
This was dumb af and extra but also necessary. Why are we not allowed to hold officiating accountable?
— 👶🏽🐐LaZr$ babyGOAT (@LiLBilly___) November 24, 2024
It’s become a staple of VanVleet’s fiery personality over the years to call out the refs. He is enjoying a good start to the NBA season with the Rockets as the team currently sits third in the Western Conference with a 12-6 record. The only teams better in the West are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors.
No official suspension or fine has been announced for VanVleet, but it would not be surprising to see one come across in the next day or so.
