CP3 fined $35K but not suspended for ref contact
Chris Paul is thrown out with 4.4 seconds left after arguing for a foul on James Harden’s game-tying 3-point attempt. (1:08)
SAN FRANCISCO — Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul has been fined $35,000 for “aggressively confronting and recklessly making contact with a game official,” the NBA announced Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred with 4.4 seconds remaining in the Rockets’ 104-100 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Sunday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Paul, who received his second technical foul and was automatically ejected, brushed referee Josh Tiven while arguing that Warriors guard Klay Thompson committed a loose-ball foul against him. The non-call on Thompson was correct, according to the NBA’s last two minute report.
Paul claimed after the game that he wasn’t aware of any contact with an official. Before practice Monday, he said any contact was “incidental.”
However, Paul acknowledged that he needs to do a better job controlling his emotions.
“I’ve definitely got to be better,” Paul said. “I shouldn’t have got those techs and put my team in those situations, but the game’s always going to be emotional. If I’m not emotional, I’m not me, but I’ve definitely got to be better for my team.”