OAKLAND — Kevin Durant tallied his NBA-leading fifth ejection on Thursday night, but he isn’t apologizing.
In the second quarter of Golden State’s 116-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, Durant was hit as he rose for a layup, but no foul was called. Durant, incensed, shouted at the referee and was promptly ejected.
The uptick in ejections is new to Durant, who had been tossed only twice in 10 career seasons entering this season. These ejections aren’t characterized on a case-by-case basis, though.
They all stem from one thing.
“(It’s) mainly just foul calls I think are wrong, and I tell (the officials) about it,” Durant said postgame. “And if they don’t like how I say it, I get tossed. I could definitely talk to them a little better, I guess.”
Prior to Thursday night, Durant had missed five straight games with an incomplete rib cartilage fracture since he last played on March 14. He got off to quick start in the first quarter, scoring 10 points. But he had some built up frustration once he checked back into the game. His poor second quarter was riddled with turnovers, missed shots, and seemingly missed calls.
Finally, Durant finally cracked.
“That was the second one I felt like they should’ve called,” Durant said. “It happens. It happens when you let your emotions get into it. (I) definitely wish I could finish the game out.”
Durant wasn’t the only one who disliked the officiating. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr barked at the officials as the Warriors entered the tunnel after the first half had concluded.
Kerr said Durant’s use of “the magic word,” prompted his ejection.
“I think Kevin just had a moment,” Kerr said. “He was frustrated. He went to the rim three times (and) should have had different fouls, I thought. And I thought he was frustrated anyways because the game wasn’t really going well for him, so he snapped. It happens.”
It has been happening a lot.
His five ejections this season are the most in the NBA. Draymond Green has the second-most, with three ejections.
The only player with more ejections in a single season than Durant’s five is Rasheed Wallace, who tallied seven in both the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons.
“It’s just a (technical),” Durant said. “I got thrown out of the basketball game. I wish I didn’t— I wanted to play. I am sorry. Well, I am not sorry. I wish I could finish the game.”