Turns out the delay-of-game violations go both ways.
Two days after Paul helped get a delay-of-game violation and technical foul assessed against the Timberwolves, a move that ultimately led to an Oklahoma City win in overtime, on Monday night against the Trail Blazers, Paul and OKC were both delay-of-game violations and a technical foul.
Nick Friedell of ESPN detailed how the situation unfolded.
Referee Brian Forte whistled the Thunder for both delay-of-game violations. The first came in the first quarter with 53 seconds left — a violation Thunder coach Billy Donovan is still unclear about — while the second violation came with 2:31 left in the second quarter resulting in a technical foul.
When the second violation was assessed, the microphones picked up Paul, who was obviously unhappy with the call.
“You’re trying to prove a point,” Paul said. “You’re going to be on SportsCenter tonight, good job! You’re going to be on SportsCenter tonight.”
"He's trying to prove a point. You're going to be on SportsCenter tonight, good job."
Chris Paul was not happy with the ref after a delay of game call on the Thunder. pic.twitter.com/OPZpHeOyeK
— ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2019
According to Friedell, Billy Donovan said after the game that he didn’t see the violations.
“The first one I’m not really sure about,” Donovan said. “The second one, the explanation was they stepped on the floor with their sweats on. I didn’t see it. … As they were stepping on the court they were taking their sweats off. That’s what was said, but I’m going to see. I don’t want to say yes or no, I just want to see. Because I hadn’t had a chance really to see it.
Meanwhile, Paul told reporters after the game that “he got me back”.
“Two delay of games, on me? They both was on me, wasn’t it? That was good. He got me, he got me back.”
Chris Paul on the Thunder’s two delay of game violations: “He got me back.” pic.twitter.com/lomTAyZH5F
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) December 9, 2019
When asked if it was in response to the situation with Jordan Bell on Friday night, Paul responded, “what you think?”
The 34-year-old veteran did say that he learned something from the whole ordeal: that you can’t have your shooting shirt and your pants on when you’re checking in.
“I learned something new,” Paul said. “But we won, so I’m good.”.