In the Golden State Warriors’ season finale against the Memphis Grizzlies last night (Wednesday, April 10), superstar forward Kevin Durant was called for a technical foul — his 16th of the season, which usually results in suspension.
However, with the contest being the Warriors’ last game of the regular season, Durant would not have been suspended because the tally for technical fouls resets in the playoffs. In other words, Durant would have recorded 16 technical fouls for the regular season, but without consequence: His slate for the postseason would have been wiped clean.
Now, discussion of Durant’s technical fouls is somewhat of a moot point.
The Athletic‘s Anthony Slater reported today that the technical foul has been rescinded by the league, leaving Durant with 15 technical fouls for the regular season.
Oddly, Durant was aware the technical foul wouldn’t matter given that his slate would be wiped clean to start the postseason, and he had a feeling it would be rescinded.
After the game, Durant said:
I knew it starts over in the playoffs. And I kind of figured [official Kane Fitzgerald] would rescind that one anyway, so I wasn’t too nervous.
In a 132-117 loss to a team with nothing to lose or gain by winning, picking up technical fouls probably isn’t the right approach for a player on a team that has been beleaguered in conflict with NBA officials this season.
If ever this was a technical foul to leave on the table — with nothing to gain by irritating the refs and everything to gain by ending the regular season on a high note (and with hopes that the officials can wipe their minds clean come the playoffs) — this was it.
