Mavericks’ Jason Kidd penalized $35,000 for criticizing officials following defeat
NEW YORK — Dallas head coach Jason Kidd has been penalized $35,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating and using inappropriate language during a media interview, as announced by the NBA on Monday.
Kidd expressed his views following the Mavericks’ 111-107 defeat against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
“The referees did not perform their duties tonight,” Kidd stated during the postgame media availability. “They were poor.”
Kidd was particularly exasperated with the officiating regarding rookie standout Cooper Flagg, who scored 34 points in that game but failed to draw a foul after missing a potential game-tying layup in the closing moments.
“I observed a foul,” Kidd remarked. “[Officials] Sean [Wright], Simone [Jelks], and Jason [Goldenberg] were dreadful tonight. The officiating was unacceptable. It’s a foul, and he should be at the free throw line.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
