OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant was ejected from Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets for arguing a call early in the third quarter.
The play in question occurred with 8:27 left in the quarter, when Durant went up for a jumper and thought he was fouled by Nuggets forward Paul Millsap. He did not get the call and continued complaining to the officials.
At the 8:21 mark, Durant was whistled for his first technical foul. Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr tried to calm Durant down, but official Zach Zarba quickly whistled for a second technical foul as Durant continued arguing.
Durant’s two technical fouls are significant, given that he now has 15 on the season. Sixteen technicals bring an automatic one-game suspension. Warriors forward Draymond Green also has 15 technicals.
As Durant was escorted off the floor, fans at Oracle Arena angrily chanted, “Ref, you suck!” Durant left the game in the midst of one of his best performances of the season. He was 9-for-13 from the field and had 21 points in 21 minutes, with six assists, three rebounds and two blocks.
Durant did not talk to reporters after the game.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he was surprised that Durant got ejected.
“I thought he deserved the first technical. I didn’t think he deserved the second one,” Kerr said. “I was very surprised. I watched the whole thing. I didn’t think he deserved to be ejected, but I think Zach Zarba is one of the best officials in the game, so I got no complaints with Zach. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a fantastic official. It was just surprising, and I never did really get an explanation or get a chance to talk to him, but we move on.”