Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse has been fined $15,000 by the NBA following his comments about the officiating in the Raptors’ 95-86 loss to the Denver Nuggets last Sunday.
Nurse expressed his frustration after forward Kawhi Leonard had only four free throws in the game despite playing over 38 minutes.
“They were the ones that were hitting, holding, cutting, grabbing, clutching, hitting,” Nurse told reporters after the game.
“You can’t tell me that one of the best players in the league takes 100 hits and shoots four free throws, and they handed him two for charity at the end. So he was going to have two free throws for the game with all the physical hits and holding and driving and chucking and doubling and slapping and reaching and all the stuff. It’s been going on all year. I do not understand why they are letting everyone play one of the best players in the league so physically. I do not understand it.”
Leonard later expressed his support for Nurse’s words.
“It’s been like that all year but in this era with how the game is and the rules today I feel like I agree with [Nurse],” said Leonard. “It was very physical but I just go with the next play. It could only get me ready for what’s to come. I just pride myself on keeping moving and keeping going.”
The Raptors were without guards Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet as well as forward Pascal Siakam in the loss. Leonard finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
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