The NBA announced on Friday evening that Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson has been fined $25,000 after he pushed referee Karl Lane on Thursday night as the Jazz played the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Arena.
The incident occurred early in the second quarter as Clarkson was trying to gather a loose ball he had deflected after scoring a bucket. Lane was in Clarkson’s path and the ball bounced off Lane’s foot toward the baseline. Lane tried to get out of the way, but Clarkson reflexively bumped him and then pushed him.
Jordan Clarkson shoved a ref last night. pic.twitter.com/mVg4kn79nQ
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) January 1, 2021
Clarkson was assessed a technical foul immediately by Lane and Chris Paul made the free throw to tie the game at 24. That started a 7-0 run for the Suns and the Jazz never got closer than three points the rest of the night.
On a more positive note, prior to Utah’s game Friday against the LA Clippers, LA head coach Tyronn Lue recalled the short time that Clarkson played for him in Cleveland in 2018 as the Cavaliers made the NBA Finals.
“I think coming to Cleveland and having a chance to play with our team, LeBron (James) and (Kevin Love) and the guys that we had there, I think it gave him a chance to really grow up,” Lue said.
“All he had ever seen was the (Los Angeles) Lakers. He got drafted there, so coming to Cleveland, having a chance to play in the playoffs for his first time, going to the NBA Finals for his first time, I think he had a chance to see what it took and what it was like. After that, he’s just been great.”
Lue said he noticed how much of an impact Clarkson had on the Jazz after getting traded by the Cavaliers last season, and Lue feels it can continue after Clarkson signed a four-year contract in the offseason.
“The team showing him his worth I think has made him even more comfortable,” Lue said, “so he’s really grown and matured a lot, and I think he’s ready to take that next step.”
from Deseret News https://ift.tt/38VfnmH
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