HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander was slapped with a $100,000 fine on Wednesday for leaving his courtside seat mid-game and confronting an NBA official.
Alexander got up late in the first quarter of the game Tuesday, walked a short distance on the court and said something to referee Billy Kennedy, who was busy watching the play.
“Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has been fined $100,000 for confronting a referee during live game action,” NBA spokesman Byron Spruell said in a news release.
The incident happened with 13 seconds left in the first quarter of the Rockets’ 105-99 series clinching win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Former Houston Rockets player Hakeem Olajuwon, who was sitting nearby, attempted to grab the owner’s arm as he walked past but Alexander just pulled it away and glanced back at him.
Alexander spoke briefly to Kennedy then turned and made his way back to his chair.
© Agence France-Presse