Tuesday night just got worse for the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavs are down big in their Game 5 match-up against the Los Angeles Clippers and midway through the third quarter, head coach Rick Carlisle has just been ejected with two quick technical fouls after letting out some frustration towards the refs after a challenge dispute.
Carlisle was riled up after Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was allowed to challenge a foul called on Paul George. George committed a personal foul on Tim Hardaway Jr.'s converted basket in the third quarter and as the Mavs guard was handed the ball for his bonus free throw, Rivers called for a challenge on the play. Hardaway already had the ball when the challenge was called which technically shouldn't have been allowed. This, as well as the Mavs being down big, took a toll on the Mavs head coach and eventually got himself tossed.
For what it's worth, the officials clarified that the challenge was enacted right before Hardaway got the ball making the challenge eligible.
The champion head coach was probably just looking for an outlet to try and motivate his team who have been struggling all-game long against the Clippers. After a strong start, the Mavs failed to contain the Clippers who fought back with a huge 24-2 run in the opening quarter. The Mavs have been playing catch-up since and losing their head coach definitely won't be a welcome addition.
For the second straight game, Dallas is also missing the services of their second-leading scorer as Kristaps Porzingis who was again ruled out of Tuesday's match-up. Now with Carlisle also out, things seem to take a wrong turn for Dallas.