Rare Livingston ejection
MIAMI — Midway through the second quarter of the Warriors’ 123-95 win Sunday night over the Heat, Golden State point guard Shaun Livingston was ejected for making physical contact with an official.
Livingston, upset for what he viewed as a no-call on a 13-foot jumper with 6:24 left in the half, stomped over to referee Courtney Kirkland on the baseline and, while unleashing a verbal tirade, brushed foreheads with him. After getting tossed from the game, Livingston untucked his white jersey as he walked off the court.
His ejection left the Warriors with only one true point guard, Stephen Curry, the rest of the way. But, with Curry scoring 30 points within the game’s first 28½ minutes, Golden State cruised to the blowout.
Now, as they prepare for Monday night’s game in New Orleans, the Warriors will wait to learn if the league will further discipline Livingston, who was unavailable for comment after the game. He is scheduled to rest against the Pelicans regardless.
The question is whether Livingston or Kirkland initiated contact. Asked for his explanation of what occurred, Kirkland said, “The reason that Shaun Livingston was ejected was for making physical contact with me. It was only one technical foul and he was ejected immediately. That’s basically it.”
“We know Shaun is not that type of player,” Golden State forward Kevin Durant said. “He’s a pro that’s been in the league for so long and just plays the game and doesn’t really say much. So, you could tell that things were a little heated right there.”
Sunday’s ejection was Livingston’s second in 803 career NBA games and his first in 720 regular-season games. Livingston’s only other ejection came in Game 4 of the 2016 Western Conference semifinals in Portland, after receiving his second technical foul for complaining to referee Scott Foster. Free day: In the wake of Friday’s 133-112 win over the Magic, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr decided to give his team a free day in Miami. It is part of his plan to find Golden State as much rest as possible so players are fresh for a championship push.
“We’re in Miami,” Kerr said. “I would be a fool not to give them the day off.” Lights out: With about 15 minutes left in the Warriors’ game-day shootaround practice Sunday morning, the lights at American Airlines Arena went out. Players continued to shoot on a darkened floor.
“That is a first,” Curry said. “Nice little, I guess, test of muscle memory.”