NBA suspends Shaun Livingston, disciplines referee Courtney Kirkland for on-court altercation

Shams Charania

The NBA has suspended Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston for one game and removed referee Courtney Kirkland for one week from the league’s officiating rotation for their roles in an on-court altercation Sunday.

The incident occurred with 6:24 remaining in the second quarter of the Warriors’ 123-95 victory in Miami, when Livingston and Kirkland bumped heads and Livingston was ejected from the game. The NBA determined Kirkland moved toward Livingston and shared responsibility for the contact made, the league announced.

Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) argues a call with referee Courtney Kirkland before Livingston was called for a technical foul and was ejected on Sunday night. (AP)
Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) argues a call with referee Courtney Kirkland before Livingston was called for a technical foul and was ejected on Sunday night. (AP)

Livingston will serve his suspension on Monday when the Warriors face the Pelicans in New Orleans. Kirkland will return to game action on Dec. 11.

Livingston, 32, has played 22 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 4.7 points and two assists. Livingston is in his fourth year with Golden State and has been a key reserve for the Warriors’ NBA championship teams in 2015 and ’17.