NBA fines Fred Van Vleet for his outburst against officials

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Rockford native and Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is paying a price for his outburst Saturday night toward the end of the Rockets-Trail Blazers game. He has been fined $50,000 by the NBA.

VanVleet berated the officials, used profanity and pointed at all three of them when he didn’t get the foul call he expected. VanVleet felt he was fouled when he launched a wild three-point attempt on a foul attempt with ten seconds left and the Rockets trailing by three points. Van Vleet was ejected from the game with four seconds to play.

A low-angle replay appeared to show body contact was made by a Portland defender on the shot. NBA officials later admitted that a foul should have been called.

NBA officials still felt that Van Vleet’s behavior was uncalled for. VanVleet apologized for his outburst after the game. He could have faced a suspension in addition to the fine, instead he is expected to play in the Rockets’ next game Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.