VanVleet tossed for outburst at refs: 'We disagreed quite a bit'
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet expects punishment from the league after he blew up at the officials and got ejected in the last seconds of Saturday's 104-98 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
"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," he told The Athletic's Kelly Iko postgame.
"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."
VanVleet was furious over a non-call in the dying moments of the game after he tried to draw a foul at the 3-point line with Houston down three.
Even if it is contact the refs aren’t calling a foul. That is a bad play by VanVleet. No way around it. pic.twitter.com/osNT0XJEKB
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 24, 2024
The 30-year-old pointed at several referees and shared some choice words before putting a finger in one official's face without making contact.
Fred VanVleet is going to be suspended for a lot of games pic.twitter.com/x6cQSyG65V
— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) November 24, 2024
The Wichita State product was ejected from the game partway through his tirade.
Crew chief Courtney Kirkland said postgame that video review showed VanVleet had been fouled on the play, but he wouldn't have been awarded free throws if the foul was called.
VanVleet tallied eight points, five rebounds, and five assists on 4-of-13 shooting from the field in Saturday's loss.
The Rockets fell to 12-6. They face the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA Cup game Tuesday.