Portland guard Ja Morant said he will appeal a technical foul for flopping assessed late in the Blazers’ 136-129 road win over the Lakers on Tuesday night.
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant said he plans to appeal the technical foul he received for flopping late in Tuesday night’s 136-129 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Morant said, "I just showed my hands and took a bump in my chest. It ain't like I fell. I just kept going backwards. It is what it is. I'll try to appeal it. I think it's like a $2,000 [fine]."
The call was assessed with 3:49 remaining in regulation after Lakers guard Austin Reaves attempted to drive to the basket. Morant absorbed contact and stumbled backward on the play.
The technical was one of three flopping calls made against Portland in the final six minutes, and Blazers head coach Micah Nori questioned the pattern of officiating. He told reporters, "Good job by the NBA. Point of emphasis. Great job. There were [71] free throws. We almost got past 2 a.m. on the East Coast for the [end of the] game. Sorry to keep you all here so long."
Nori also said the situation was notable given recent history, adding, "There were [27] flops called last year in 2,000 games total."
Despite the controversy, Portland improved to 3-0 and remained one of four undefeated teams in the NBA, while the Lakers dropped their first game of the season and fell to 3-1.
Morant led the Blazers with 23 points as six Portland players scored in double figures and four finished with more than 20. Luka Dončić paced Los Angeles with 41 points, and Reaves added 26.
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