With his Indiana Pacers in desperate need of a win to secure playoff positioning, Paul George was tossed late after being assessed a second technical foul following a heated exchange with Philadelphia 76ers guard Gerald Henderson. Ultimately, the streaking Pacers claimed a fourth-consecutive victory 120-111, but not without ensuing controversy from its four-time All-Star.
(1/2) Replay Review (Game Crew): if Henderson committed a flagrant foul in Q4 of #INDatPHI. pic.twitter.com/JtdmDNsfgu
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 11, 2017
Both Henderson and George were given double-technicals for this mini-fracas with 5:08 remaining. While Henderson finished out the game with his Sixers trailing 109-98, a vociferous George stormed off the court and had these heated afterward.
Concerning the officials and Henderson’s physical play (via CSN Philly):
“I mean, y’all know how I feel about the officials, and tonight I really have no faith in ‘em. I’ve been warning ‘em all night what he’s going to do, stuff he’s doing, and they allowed this s— to go on. He was throwing jabs, throwing punches at my stomach all night, and I didn’t retaliate until late in the game when they weren’t doing s— about it. So he pulled me down, I get a double tech for doing nothing. And then throw an elbow at my neck, I get another tech for nothing. So I really don’t have no respect, nothing is there for the officiating. S—– officiating job.”
George then reiterated his on-court animosity with the 76ers veteran swingman:
“I don’t care about him (Henderson). It’s the fact that they let him do that. That’s the problem I have. It’s the fact that they allowed him to do that, and I’m the one that gets a technical for the s— he’s doing. For whatever reason, he doesn’t like getting scored on by me. I get this every time he’s at home. I guess that’s when he feels confident. He’s sweet on the road, but at home is when he gets some n-ts.”
It’s no secret that George has had a frustrating season in Indiana with his Pacers at risk of falling out of the playoffs. The feud with Henderson, however, seems like a larger issue.
George will likely be hearing from the league office about a fine for his public criticism of the referees.
4/12/17 UPDATE: The NBA has fined both Paul George and Gerald Henderson $25,000 each for separate incidents stemming from this game.
Paul George, Gerald Henderson each fined $25,000 pic.twitter.com/GyDV7ebM3l
— David Morrow (@_DavidMorrow) April 12, 2017
