‘Tis the week for superstars to get ejected in the NBA.
Wednesday night, LeBron James was tossed from the Cavaliers’ home game against Miami, and Anthony Davis was asked to leave the Pelicans’ home game against the Timberwolves.
Friday night, it was Kevin Durant’s turn.
Durant's ejection occurred with about five minutes left in Warriors' game at the Magic and Golden State holding a 119-105 lead.
This may sound strange, but Durant got a foul called on Magic point guard Elfrid Payton on the play. Referee Eric Lewis, however, ruled it a non-shooting foul; Durant thought he was fouled in the act of shooting, and he let Lewis know it on the way back down the floor, dropping what appeared to be an F-bomb.
Kevin Durant gets himself ejected.pic.twitter.com/pn3ISszsfH
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeagueTSL) December 2, 2017
"He got fouled on a shot, and for some reason, they didn't give him two free throws, which was kind of bizarre," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game, per ESPN. "It was one of the most bizarre non-calls I've ever seen. It looked so obvious, and he should have been at the line. I'm sure he was upset. I was upset about that too."
Said Durant, "Oh yeah, it should have been two shots, but he didn't give me an explanation on that. I guess because I kept asking him about it, he tossed me."
Or because of, you know, the F-bomb.
This was just the third ejection of Durant’s career, and he vows to be more mindful of a fourth.
"The refs run the game, so if they're not feeling good today, they can just make any decision they want," Durant said. "I have to know that they got all of the power, and I got to shut up and take it."
Oh, the Warriors went on to beat Orlando 133-112, and Durant finished with 25 points, two rebounds and seven assists.