Damian Lillard doesn't hide frustration with officials, Donovan Mitchell after Trail Blazers' controversial loss

Jordan Greer

•
Damian Lillard doesn't hide frustration with officials, Donovan Mitchell after Trail Blazers' controversial loss image

Damian Lillard is going to get fined by the NBA, and he doesn't care at all.

The Trail Blazers guard ripped the officiating crew after Portland's controversial loss to Utah on Friday night. With the Trail Blazers trailing by two and only 15 seconds left in regulation, Lillard drove toward the rim and got a layup attempt to the backboard. Jazz center Rudy Gobert then clearly interfered with the ball after it touched the glass, which should have led to a goaltending violation and tie game.

MORE: Winners and losers from NBA trade deadline

Unfortunately for Portland, the officials on the floor completely botched it. Goaltending wasn't called as the play happened, so it couldn't be reviewed and corrected. The Blazers ultimately lost by a final score of 117-114.

Lillard was understandably furious as he walked off the Vivint Smart Home Arena floor, and he didn't hold back with his postgame comments.

"It's an easy call. Three referees out there and they don't call that," Lillard said. "I don't want to hear no — I don't want to see no report about, 'Oh, we should have called that,' or none of that. They cost us a game. We're in a playoff race and they cost us a game — on an easy call."

He later used some explicit language on social media in response to the NBA's official pool report for the game. Crew chief Josh Tiven admitted a goaltending violation "should have been called."

When one Twitter user pointed out Lillard was going to get fined for the strong words, he offered a short retort: "Plenty money." (Lillard is making nearly $30 million this season alone, and he's got more big checks coming his way once his supermax contract kicks in.)

But Lillard wasn't done just yet. He also took exception to Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell calling out Blazers reserve Gary Trent Jr. Both Mitchell and Trent earned technical fouls at the end of the first half after talking a little too much trash before heading to the locker room.

"I don't see why guys like Gary Trent should come in and think they can just punk us," Mitchell said. "Not gonna lie to you. That shouldn't happen. At the end of the day, we are who we are. We're not a team that you can come in and just talk trash to. That's just not gonna happen."

Once that video hit Twitter, Lillard and Trent reacted quickly ...

And Mitchell fired right back.

The good news: Lillard and Mitchell will meet at least one more time during the regular season. The bad news: NBA fans will have to wait until April 2 to see the All-Stars face off.

Let's hope the officials can stay out of the spotlight next time.

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.