Rockets Disappointed Griffin, Rivers Avoided Disciplinary Action

Rockets forwards Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green were both suspended for actions after the game.

Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers reacts to a missed pass in front of Tarik Black #28 and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during a 113-102 Clipper win at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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The Houston Rockets are shocked and disappointed that Blake Griffin and Austin Rivers avoided any disciplinary action as a result of the events during and after the Clippers’ win on Monday night in Los Angeles, ESPN reports. Rockets forwards Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green were both suspended for two games for their actions after the game, when they entered the Clippers’ locker room. According to an NBA news release, the two engaged in “a hostile, verbal altercation with several Clippers players.” But the Rockets think that Griffin and Rivers should be disciplined for their roles in the events that led to Ariza’s anger escalating to the point that he stormed into the Clippers’ locker room to confront them. The Rockets believe Griffin intentionally made contact with Mike D’Antoni late in the fourth quarter, moments before a heated confrontation between the Houston and the Clippers forward. D’Antoni was arguing a goaltending non-call on the previous possession. Griffin cursed at him, a source told ESPN and made contact with him while D’Antoni stood on the sideline. Griffin was fouled a moment later, and afterwards, he made a beeline toward D’Antoni, and they exchanged expletives. Double technical fouls were called. Meanwhile, Rivers, who was sitting the game out due to an injury, talked trash about Ariza from the bench with 1:03 remaining in the game. This prompted an altercation between Ariza and Griffin that resulted in double technical fouls and their ejections from the game.

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