NBA fines Warriors' Durant, Curry and Green for criticizing officials

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Golden State Warriors stars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have been issued fines Tuesday for comments criticizing the integrity of NBA officials during and after a loss at Minnesota.

Forward Draymond Green was fined 35,000 U.S. dollars for making statements on social media which "impugned the integrity of NBA officiating," according to the press release from NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe.

Guard Stephen Curry was fined 25,000 U.S. dollars for his actions and public statements for the same reason.

Forward Kevin Durant was fined 15,000 U.S. dollars for public criticism of the officiating.

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors speaks to referee Marat Kogut #32 during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, March 29, 2019. /VCG Photo

The decision is made after NBA reviewed player conduct at various points during and after defending league champion Golden State's 131-130 over-time loss at Minnesota last Friday.

Curry hit a 3-pointer to pull Golden State level with a half-second to play in over-time Friday, but Durant was whistled by referee Marat Kogut for fouling Karl-Anthony Towns on the in-bounds play and the big man hit a free throw to give the Timberwolves the victory.

Curry called referee Kogut "the MVP of the night" for the call on Durant, who added: "We deserved to play at least five more minutes."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he was "disappointed with the officiating".

Green was hit hardest after sending two short tweets after the game – "TD" and "MK" in what was believed to be a cryptic reference to link Kogut with disgraced former NBA official Tim Donaghy, who was linked to betting on games he officiated and controlling the point spreads.

The Warriors own the best record in the Western Conference at 52-24 by one game over Denver in the fight for a home-court edge throughout the West playoffs.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters