The NBA doesn’t take contact against referees lightly – and they are letting the Boston Celtics know that.
Grant Williams earned himself a technical foul during the team’s 120-102 loss against the Chicago Bulls on Monday and actually got ejected due to his actions.
After getting knocked down by Zach LaVine in the fourth quarter, Williams was called for a blocking foul.
When getting back up, he bumped into one of the game officials, which triggered his ejection.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/52Bh8RfBSt
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 26, 2022
But the ejection isn’t the end of the action against Williams.
The league just announced that Williams has been suspended for one game without pay for “recklessly making contact with a game official.”
The one-game suspension will be served this Friday, October 28, as the team takes on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston Without Grant
Williams has been a strong bench player again this season.
He has averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists during his 24.8 minutes.
Perhaps most impressively has been his field goal percentage (70.6%) and his three-point numbers (66.7%).
The good news is that, right now, the Celtics are pretty healthy and will be able to get on without William’s output.
Still, they’d rather he’d be on the floor than not, especially against a promising team like the Cavaliers.
As for the NBA, this suspension is par for the course.
Over the last few years, the association has put an emphasis on ensuring officials’ safety and sending a message: intimidating and physical contact with refs will not be tolerated.
Honestly, Williams is lucky that he wasn’t suspended more – that’s just how seriously the NBA takes this issue.
The Celtics don’t often get into a lot of trouble like this with the league but they also don’t often have an Eastern Conference as tough as this – and tension and stakes as high as they are this season.
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