Markieff Morris fined $35K by NBA after directing inappropriate language toward a ref
Detroit Pistons forward Markieff Morris directed some costly words at a ref during the team’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. The NBA fined Morris $35,000 for using “inappropriate and offensive language” at an official during the contest.
The incident occurred in the first quarter of the Pistons’ 117-111 loss to the 76ers. With 6:27 to go in the quarter, Morris was called for a foul after trying to stop a Tobias Harris fast break. The 30-year-old Morris didn’t seem angry initially. He even waited patiently as Harris shot a free throw.
Morris was then subbed out of the game by Pistons coach Dwane Casey. Harris made his second free throw, and the Pistons prepared to take the ball up the court.
At that point, Morris was hit with a technical foul. He must have said something to the ref after Harris’ second free throw.
Broadcast cameras didn’t catch the moment, shrouding the exchange in mystery. Morris didn’t even seem animated when he was called for the technical.
Morris — who had struggled in the team’s first two games — turned in his best game of the season despite the early technical. He finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
While that foul seemed to get Morris back on track, we wouldn’t recommend he make this a normal ritual. Outside of hurting his own team with technicals, those fines will start to add up quickly.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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