The National Basketball Association (NBA) has fined Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet $50,000 for using profane language toward officials during Saturday’s 104-98 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
VanVleet, who scored eight points on 4-of-13 shooting, was involved in a tense finish with the game tied at 96 with less than a minute remaining.
The Trail Blazers secured the win by scoring the final five points, all from free throws in the last 16 seconds.
With 4.3 seconds remaining and the Rockets down 103-98, VanVleet was called for an offensive foul. He then received a technical foul and was ejected after arguing with the referees.
As he left the court, VanVleet pointed his finger at all three officials and directed it near the face of one as he departed.
The 30-year-old VanVleet is averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 17 games this season. Over his nine-year career with the Toronto Raptors (2016-2023) and Rockets, he has averaged 15 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 507 games, including 358 starts. VanVleet was named an All-Star in 2021-22.