Two Oklahoma City Thunder players were suspended for leaving the bench during a scuffle with the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, and head coach Billy Donovan is not happy about it.
Donovan on Wednesday expressed his disappointment with the 1-game suspensions handed to Dennis Schroder and Raymond Felton. He felt both players were trying to be peacemakers and not escalate the situation. He also was upset with the timing of the announcement, which came the same day as the team’s game against the Sacramento Kings rather than their off day on Tuesday.
Here are Donovan’s comments as shared by The Oklahoman’s Erik Horne:
This was Billy Donovan in pregame on the suspensions of Dennis Schroder and Raymond Felton.
Probably a Top 5 Donovan frustration moment, I'd say. Wasn't crazy or yelling, but clearly not happy. Respects the ruling, but has issue with the timing of the decision by the league: pic.twitter.com/0dE91S010C
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) December 20, 2018
The NBA’s policy about suspending players for leaving the bench during fights is as firm as it gets. They don’t want more players getting involved in scuffles because they feel it will only make things worse, regardless of the players’ intent. That’s a rule the players need to know and learn.
