The NBA Referees Association has chastised LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul for "personal and unprofessional" comments about rookie referee Lauren Holtkamp, one of two women officials in the NBA.
Paul lashed out on Thursday night after the Clippers lost 105-94 to Cleveland.
The disgruntled Clippers were slapped with five technical fouls in the third quarter, Paul saying after the game that some of the technicals were "ridiculous."
"I think we've got to show better composure, but at the same time some of them were ridiculous," said Paul, who was irked that Holtkamp assessed him a technical when he questioned her decision to stop play after the Clippers tried to inbound the ball quickly after a Cleveland free throw.
"That's terrible," Paul said. "There's no way that can be a technical. We try to get the ball out quick every time down the court and when we did that she said 'Uh-uh' and I said 'Why uh-uh?' and she gave me a tech. That's ridiculous.
"If that's the case then this might not be for her."
Social media erupted with accusations of sexism on Paul's part, although his comments could just as well have referred to Holtkamp's inexperience.
Either way, the NBA officials' union backed the ref and scolded Paul.
"The NBRA has carefully reviewed the calls made by Lauren Holtkamp and deems them fully justified," the union said in a statement on Friday.
"Furthermore, the NBRA deplores the personal and unprofessional comments made by Chris Paul. She belongs."
The matter likely isn't over. The NBA forbids public criticism of officiating, so Paul will likely face a fine.
Clippers centre DeAndre Jordan also received a technical, as did coach Doc Rivers, while Matt Barns got two and was ejected from the game.
