NEW ORLEANS _ The NBA penalized Warriors guard Shaun Livingston with a one-game suspension and official Courtney Kirkland for their role in what the league called "an on-court altercation" during the Warriors' game on Sunday in Miami.
The NBA determined that the incident began when Livingston "aggressively approached" Kirkland while addressing a non-call with 6:24 left in the second quarter of the Warriors' 123-95 victory over Miami. The league also ruled that Kirkland "moved toward" Livingston and "shared responsibility for the contact that occurred." The two bumped heads before Kirkland gave Livingston a technical foul and immediately ejected him.
The Warriors (18-6) already planned to sit Livingston for Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans (12-11) for rest purposes. But Livingston will have to miss Monday's game without pay.
Livingston is considered a valued veteran because of his steady play and calm demeanor. Livingston was ejected for just the second time in his 11-year NBA career. His other ejection happened in Game 4 of the 2016 Western Conference semifinals in Portland after arguing with official Scott Foster.
While Livingston did not speak to reporters, Kirkland provided a statement to a pool reporter.
"The reason that Shaun Livingston was ejected was for making physical contact with me," Kirkland said to the pool reporter. "It was only one technical and he was ejected immediately. That's basically it."
