Rivers ejected in loss to Wizards
WASHINGTON — Maybe it was because his team’s defense was so bad. Maybe it was because he could see losing on the horizon.
Whatever the case, Clippers Coach Doc Rivers was ejected after back-to-back technical fouls with 1 minute 6 seconds left and his Clippers down by six points and with the ball after he had called a timeout.
Rivers walked off the court with team security and slapped hands with the same fans that had booed and jeered him for losing his cool.
Bradley Beal, who had tormented the Clippers all game with 41 points, made both technical foul free throws for an eight-point lead that sealed the Clippers’ fate.
After the game, Rivers was asked to explain why referee Mike Callahan assessed two technical fouls against him.
“I walked over and said, ‘Isn’t the rule if you are in the restricted zone, that that’s an automatic foul,’ ” Rivers said, referring to the basket Markieff Morris had scored down low right before Rivers was called for his technical.
And the referee said, “Tech,” Rivers told the media.
And, so how did you get the second technical foul?
“I just waved at him, telling him bye,” Rivers replied. “Listen, I’ll get the second one. But you know at some point, my job is to ask a question and you shouldn’t get a tech for that. If I earn a tech, I’m good with that. Like I said in the game when I got thrown out in Brooklyn, I completely earned that. But this one … I mean, the one guy gave three techs to Rivers.”
Austin Rivers was called for a technical foul in the second quarter by referee James Williams.
Mbah a Moute returns
Luc Mbah a Moute returned after sitting out the previous two games because of a bruised right shoulder.
He played only 16 minutes 40 seconds, so it was natural to ask Mbah a Moute whether he was 100% healthy.
“My answer is I’m playing,” he responded. “... The shoulder is good.”
Etc.
Blake Griffin, who had 26 points against the Wizards, became the Clippers’ No. 3 all-time scorer (9,352 points), passing Elton Brand (9,336).