The NBA has fined Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet $50,000 for “confronting and directing foul language” at officials during Saturday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The The NBA announced the fine on Monday via a statement citing executive vice president Joe Dumars for the decision.
VanVleet was penalized for a technical foul and ejected with 4.3 seconds left in the 104-98 loss. A technical was awarded for committing an offensive foul against him in the waning seconds of the game.
After the technical foul, VanVleet confronted referee John Conley, who called for his ejection. VanVleet jabbed his finger in Conley’s face and spat with the umpire on his way off the field. He didn’t touch Conley, but he did make Conley back off with a flick of his finger.
It’s not clear from the gameplay video what VanVleet said.
VanVleet declined to elaborate on his thoughts on officiating after Saturday’s game.
“I think I have enough problems as it is tonight, so I probably don’t need to discuss the officiating too much with you guys,” VanVleet told The Athletic. I know the referees don’t try to be wrong, but tonight we didn’t agree enough.”
VanVleet has already been fined in the past for problems with his performance in the NBA. In 2023, while with the Toronto Raptors, VanVleet said during a postgame press conference that referee Ben Taylor was “terrible” after a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The incident cost VanVleet a $30,000 fine.