Fred VanVleet of Rockets fined $50K for post-game tantrum

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was penalized $50,000 by the NBA for using "vulgar language" towards game officials near the end of a 104-98 home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

VanVleet tallied eight points on 4-of-13 shooting in a game that was tied 96-96 with less than a minute remaining. The Trail Blazers sealed the win by scoring the final five points, all from the free-throw line in the last 16 seconds.

VanVleet was whistled for an offensive foul with 4.3 seconds left and the Rockets behind 103-98. He was then hit with a technical foul and ejected. VanVleet pointed his finger towards all three referees as he exited the court and extended his index finger near the face of one of them.

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VanVleet, 30, has averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 17 games (all starts) this season. Throughout his nine-year career with the Toronto Raptors (2016-23) and Rockets, he has averaged 15.0 points with 3.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists over 507 games (358 starts). He was selected as an All-Star in the 2021-22 season.