Referees indeed wield significant influence in determining the outcomes of basketball games. Their split-second decisions on fouls, violations, and other infractions can directly impact the flow and dynamics of a match.
In recent years, NBA players have encountered ejections from referees for unusual reasons during games, with the ultimate decision resting entirely on the official who made the call.
Here are five of the craziest ejections in NBA games:
The latest edition of Chris Paul vs Scott Foster
The longstanding feud between Chris Paul and veteran official Scott Foster reached a new chapter on Wednesday, November 22, when the Golden State Warriors faced the Phoenix Suns.
After a heated exchange in the second quarter, Foster slapped the NBA 75th Anniversary Team member with a tech. After Paul continued to argue, the referee gave a second consecutive technical, resulting in the ejection of the 12-time NBA All-Star.
Chris Paul was ejected after this exchange with Scott Foster pic.twitter.com/NBAJMUdFfr
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 23, 2023
The two parties have a long history of beef, with Paul going 3-17 in 20 playoff games that Foster officiated in his career.
Vince Carter's friendly slap
During a January 8, 2006 game between Carter and the New Jersey Nets against his former team, Toronto Raptors, the then star playfully slapped former teammate and friend Mo Peterson in the face, prompting Peterson to hit back. However, the referee only noticed Peterson's response and ejected him from the game.
Carter approached the referee to explain that there was no ill intent behind the playful exchange, but unfortunately, the incident had already resulted in consequences.
After a meeting with NBA officials, Peterson was not handed a fine.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ejected for routine gesture
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo found himself ejected from a home game against the Detroit Pistons on November 8 for a ridiculous reason.
Nine minutes into the third quarter, the 28-year-old received his second technical foul of the evening after staring down Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart briefly following a dunk.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player voiced his displeasure over the seemingly unjustifiable call, arguing that his action was merely a common and harmless taunt rather than an excessive display.
Antetokounmpo sat beside a fan in the front row in frustration before being guided back to the bench by his teammates.
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Tristan Thompson slaps former teammate's butt
In a January 2020 regular-season game against the Memphis Grizzlies, former Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson was ejected for an unusual reason-he slapped his former teammate Jae Crowder on the butt during a free throw in the third quarter, leading to a second technical foul being assessed against him.
Thompson's initial technical occurred in the first quarter when Crowder and Thompson engaged in a heated exchange, resulting in both players receiving a technical foul.
Despite Thompson's subsequent ejection in the second half, Crowder avoided getting a second technical.
"It's a former teammate of mine [Jae Crowder]. We have history. It's just a little competitive spirit. [The referees] might have took it the wrong way," Thompson explained after the game.
Tim Duncan got ejected for laughing
San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan was ejected for laughing during a late regular-season game on April 15, 2007 against the Dallas Mavericks.
While seated on the bench, the three-time NBA Finals MVP engaged in a verbal exchange with official Joey Crawford, leading to an initial technical foul.
The 6-foot-11 power forward laughed off the infraction Crawford gave to the ire of the official. After continuously laughing for the next few plays, Crawford handed Duncan a second technical foul, resulting in the only ejection in his storied career.
As a consequence of this incident, the league suspended the seasoned official for the remainder of the season, coupled with a $25,000 fine.
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