Subscribe
Follow Us
With only 3:02 left in the fourth quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, Isaiah Thomas got ejected for hitting Justise Winslow in the face with his elbow.
The referees deemed it as a flagrant-2 foul which meant an automatic disqualification.
(1/2) Replay Review (Game Crew): if Thomas committed a flagrant foul in Q4 of #BOSatMIA. pic.twitter.com/ysyPEOqSot
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) December 19, 2016
However, after further review by the league, they downgraded the foul after seeing there was unnecessary contact but not excessive.
The 5-foot-9 point guard spoke about the league's decision and stuck to his claim that he did not do it intentionally and it's a move he has done in the past.
Article Continues Below
“Yeah, I mean, they did as they should. I didn’t do anything intentional. I did a regular basketball move, so I don’t even think it should be a flagrant, but the guy was bleeding and it was an elbow. So I appreciate them downgrading it.”
“I know it was an elbow to the face, so I understand that but, like I keep saying, nothing was intentional. I do that move a few times a game.”
Thomas also contradicted what Winslow said right after the incident and stated his case on why he thinks it wasn't true.
“He had said his nose was broke and all I said is, ‘You’re bleeding on your cheek, so there’s no way your nose is broke.’ But I mean, guys were just heated, and we were competing.”
The league's decision to downgrade the flagrant-2 to a flagrant-1 saved Thomas from getting slapped with a fine and paying a hefty amount.
It will certainly be interesting how the referees will officiate Thomas moving forward and if they'll keep a closer eye on how he uses his elbow in the future.
