Rockets coach Ime Udoka, Dillon Brooks combine for fines of $60,000 for criticizing referees after ejections

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The NBA has fined the Houston Rockets' Dillon Brooks and head coach Ime Udoka for their public criticism of referees after they were both ejected Sunday.

Brooks was ordered to pay a $35,000 fine, while Udoka, who was also ejected earlier this month after getting into a confrontation with LeBron James, was fined $25,000.

The league said the two "direct[ed] inappropriate language toward a game official and publicly criticiz(ed) the officiating."

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Ime Udoka, head coach of the Houston Rockets, confers with Dillon Brooks (9) in the second half of an NBA game at Frost Bank Center Oct. 27, 2023, in San Antonio.  (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Both were ejected with about 38 seconds remaining in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks after arguing a flopping call on Brooks. Houston lost the game, 128-119.

Brooks said referees missed a call and resorted to calling a flop on Brooks. 

Brooks and Khris Middleton were both chasing after the ball, but it seemed like Brooks wanted a foul called on the Buck. Brooks was assessed his second technical foul, prompting an automatic ejection.

"I'm sick of refs being right in front of the play and not making calls and then compiling it with a bailout call like a flop," Brooks said after the game. "I ran full speed to get the ball after I made a great play on trying to get a steal. Two hands are on me. After that, I'm throwing the ball and trying to protect myself and not falling into whatever that was — into the fans or the bottom of the floor.

An NBA official separates Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka during