Re: @anthonyVslater’s tweet, looks like this is where Ken Mauer whistles on the Warriors before the tip. Says, “What is this? What is this?” Then you hear a whistle a few seconds later: pic.twitter.com/2OGIjjeyQS
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) April 6, 2019
Maybe the Warriors were a little too happy with Nick Young returning to Oracle Arena Friday night.
Young received his 2018 championship ring a couple minutes before the Warriors tipped off with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers. As Young walked off the floor, every Warriors player embraced him in some way, which took a bit longer than referee Ken Mauer liked. So, Mauer dinged the Warriors for a delay-of-game warning, delaying tipoff even more.
Warriors are celebrating pregame with Nick Young. Taking too long chatting with him. Ken Mauer heated. Dings them for a delay of game. Warriors vs referees continues.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 6, 2019
All of this made to a weird start to Friday’s game. This was just Golden State’s latest odd run-in with NBA officials.
Earlier this week, three Warriors players were fined for their criticisms of recent officiating following the team’s 131-130 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The final minute of that game was filled with questionable calls, all against the Warriors, including a Kevin Durant foul as time nearly expired. The foul put Minnesota’s Karl Anthony-Towns on the line, and he drilled two free throws for the win.
In the aftermath, Draymond Green was fined $35,000 for his cryptic tweets, Steph Curry was fined $25,000 for taunting the refs and making comments, and Durant was fined $15,000 for his comments.
Earlier this week, Durant was ejected in the third quarter of Golden State’s 116-102 win over the visiting Denver Nuggets. Durant currently has 15 technicals, meaning if he gets one more, he will have to sit the following game.
Durant’s ejection came after Green was called for a technical on both March 27 and March 29. Quinn Cook was called for a technical March 16.
It will be interesting to see if these calls continue in the playoffs.