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Fred VanVleet calls each ref a b***h after ejection, appears to hit official

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•11/24/24
Fred VanVleet
Photo by Troy Taormina / USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet was ejected from a 104-98 loss to the Portland Trailblazers in the final minutes and he gave the refs a show on the way out.

VanVleet appeared to mouth something at the referees as he came off the floor, looking individually at each one.

Cameras appeared to catch him mouthing, “You a b***h” to an official, nearly making contact with him as he pointed at the official. He was ejected in the process, sent off the floor. You can watch part of the interaction below.

VanVleet was in the middle of a tough night against the Blazers, shooting just 4-of-13 and scoring eight points. He did dish out five assists and pull down five boards, but he also picked up five fouls in the contest.

Whatever the case, he didn’t seem too enamored with the refs.

So far this season, VanVleet is averaging 14.9 points, 6.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Houston boasts a 12-6 record and sits in third place in the Western Conference standings.

ABC/ESPN obtains rights to Inside the NBA

According to Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal, a court case between the NBA and Warner Brothers has been settled. Part of the deal will allow Warner Brothers to license out their product to other companies, including the award-winning pregame show “Inside the NBA.”

While the show was thought to be previously out of the picture due to Warner Brothers not retaining NBA media rights, it can now live on. ESPN/ABC will be able to air the show beginning with the 2024-2025 season. A huge win for basketball fans out there.

“Warner Bros. Discovery struck a deal with Disney to license the TNT show ‘Inside the NBA’ to ESPN and ABC starting next season, according to the people familiar with the matter,” Flint said in his report. “The show, which features the former players Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, has an enthusiastic and large following. The show will air throughout the course of the season.”

“Inside the NBA” is widely considered the best pre/postgame show in sports.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this report.