Matt Barnes deletes tweet calling teammates ni–as

Matt Barnes sent an emotional tweet shortly after being ejected from the Los Angeles Clippers’ 111-103 win over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

Barnes was ejected after pushing Serge Ibaka, who got tangled up with Blake Griffin just before halftime. Not long after clearing off the court and heading to the locker room, Barnes sent a tweet where he vented his frustration for being ejected.

Barnes said he would no longer be coming to the aid of his teammates because it always gets him in trouble. He later deleted the tweet, likely because of the questionable language he used:

That tweet was a bad idea for all sorts of reasons. First, he sent an in-game tweet, which could subject him to a fine. Secondly, he fails to realize that there are other ways of backing your teammates without getting into trouble. Lastly, I just don’t understand why he has to call his teammates by that word. There are so many other words he could use instead.

Barnes’ teammates expressed their support for him after the game, with Griffin calling him a “great teammate” and Chris Paul saying he’s one of the best teammates he’s ever had. Doc Rivers might feel the same way about Barnes being a great teammate, but the coach didn’t appreciate his player’s language on the tweet.

“I think he’s very emotional and down that he got thrown out,” Rivers said after the game. “I get that part but the choice of words obviously, that’s not a word I’m a fan of in all venues.”

I can’t understand why Ibaka was ejected. Barnes is the one who deserved it. He’ll probably receive a nice fine for his language in the tweet and for sending it during the game.