LOS ANGELES _ Kevin Durant will have some extra pocket money to spend in this lavish city. He also will not have to worry about as much about potentially receiving a one-game postseason suspension.
The reason? The NBA rescinded technical fouls called on Durant and Clippers forward JaMychal Green in the Warriors' Game 3 win on Thursday. That move reduces Durant's postseason technical total from three to two, a notable development since players serve a one-game suspension without pay once they reach seven. Durant also will not face a $3,000 fine, which is relative compared to the $30 million he is making this season.
After Green fouled Durant on a hard screen, the two players engaged with what appeared to be playful banter as the two walked toward the other side of the court. Durant and Green were then called for a double technical with 8:39 left in the third quarter. Both players looked perplexed.
"We were conversing about the play that happened before, just like you and I," Durant said. "Somebody came out of nowhere and checked us both. How would you feel? That was pretty quick."
Durant had already received two technicals after getting ejected with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter of the Warriors' Game 1 win. In that game, Durant and Clippers guard Patrick Beverley received double technicals with five minutes left after the two talked trash following Beverley's foul from behind. Durant ended the exchange by smiling and clapping mockingly. Nearly 19 seconds later, Durant bumped Beverley out-of-bounds with his hips. When Beverley fell to the floor, Durant towered over him and taunted him. Once Beverley stood up, both received another set of double technicals and a subsequent ejection.
Afterwards, Warriors coach Steve Kerr chided Durant for "taking the bait" and expressed concern about already being five technicals away from a suspension. This time, though, the Warriors were perplexed on the latest ruling. Hence, they expected officials to overturn the call.
"Hopefully they rescind that one because I don't want somebody to think somebody is in my head and that's why I got that tech," Durant said. "I just want to get that out of the way because I don't want to jeopardize my team in the future."
