Raptors Coach Fined $15K for Criticizing Officials Over No-Calls on Kawhi Leonard

Nick Nurse was fined a hefty sum for his comments about the way refs call his superstar, Kawhi Leonard. But his star player knew he had his back.

Nick Nurse
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Image via Getty/Rick Madonik/Toronto Star

Nick Nurse

The NBA fined Raptors coach Nick Nurse for publicly condemning the officiating of his star Kawhi Leonard, after Denver's 95-86 win over the Raptors on Sunday. 

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing officiating on his star Kawhi Leonard.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2018

After Denver's win, Nurse publicly derided how the refs called his star. 

''Tonight was a very severe case of a guy who was playing great, taking it to the rim, and just absolutely getting held, grabbed, poked, slapped, hit and everything," Nurse said. "You can't tell me one of the best players in the league takes a hundred hits in that game and shoots four free throws. It's been going on all year. I do not understand why they are letting everybody play one of the best players in the league so physically. I do not understand.''

While Leonard agreed, he downplayed the whole thing, as is his fashion. 

''It's been very physical. I just go with the next play,'' Leonard said. ''I pride myself on just keep moving and keep going.'' But when told of the comments, he seemed happy. "When your coach is seeing the same things you are feeling, it's great," Leonard said.

Kawhi is averaging 6.8 free-throw attempts per game so far this season, the second-highest mark of his career, behind his last full season with the Spurs.

Here's what the fine means in Canadian currency:

That's over $20,200 in Canadian dollars. https://t.co/mynca5eJoX

— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) December 18, 2018

And here's why Nurse said what he did knowing full well a fine was coming. 

Word is, Raptors pay well, so he can afford it any currency. https://t.co/5SRMZFvEQC

— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) December 18, 2018

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