Search

Trevor Ariza, Gerald Green suspended 2 games; no penalties for Chris Paul, James Harden

The NBA is suspending Houston's Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green two games for aggressively entering the Clippers locker room after a Rockets loss Monday night, the league said Wednesday.

Chris Paul and James Harden will not face discipline or fines for their reported roles.

On the Clippers' side, Blake Griffin will also not face a penalty for the contact he was accused of making with Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni or for the role in the on-court conflicts during the game for which he was ejected late in the fourth quarter.

Ariza will lose $41,926 per game for a total of $83,852. Green will lose $7,804 per game for a total of $15,609.

The NBA interviewed over 20 people and found that Paul and Harden acted as peacemakers and found that Ariza and Green aggressively and tried to enter the Clippers locker room.

League sources told ESPN late Monday night that Ariza, Green, Paul and Harden marched through a back corridor and into the Clippers' home locker room at the Staples Center, suggesting that they wanted to confront Clippers players Austin Rivers and Blake Griffin after a contentious loss.

Stunned Clippers players, celebrating a 113-102 victory, leaped to their feet upon the realization that four seething Rockets players had come calling for them, sources told ESPN.

For a few fleeting moments, several Clippers dared the Rockets to come farther into the room, sources said. Security and team officials soon converged on the Rockets, pushing them out the door and back toward the visiting locker room, sources said. Ariza was described as the first one through the door, with Paul lingering in the back, witnesses told ESPN.

NBA officials started an investigation immediately after Monday night's game, and continued gathering information among the Clippers, Rockets and security officials on Tuesday.

D'Antoni accused Griffin of intentionally making contact with him moments before the heated confrontation that led to double technical fouls. The confrontation occurred in front of Houston's bench with 3:34 remaining.

"You mean after he hit me? I didn't appreciate it," D'Antoni said.

D'Antoni was arguing with a referee about a goaltending no-call on the previous possession when Griffin veered toward him and made contact. After getting fouled seconds later, Griffin made a beeline for D'Antoni and exchanged expletives with the Rockets coach.

"Well, after he said what he said, I said the same thing back," Griffin said.

D'Antoni declined to elaborate on the contact made by Griffin.

Griffin, who finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, was ejected with 1:03 remaining in the game when he drew his second technical foul for a confrontation with Rockets small forward Trevor Ariza. Griffin joked that the conversation was about whether he would attend Ariza's birthday party.

"It was just heated in the moment, that's all," said Ariza, who was also ejected. "I didn't hear him. I just see somebody coming to me aggressively, so I'm going to defend myself."

Added D'Antoni: "Boys will be boys. It got a little heated. Whatever."

Information from ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks was used in this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Read Again http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22136579/nba-suspends-trevor-ariza-gerald-green-houston-rockets-2-games

Bagikan Berita Ini

0 Response to "Trevor Ariza, Gerald Green suspended 2 games; no penalties for Chris Paul, James Harden"

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.