It is a rare occurrence in the NBA for players to engage in verbal disputes with opposing coaches, and even rarer for such incidents to result in the coach being ejected. However, this unusual scenario unfolded on Saturday night during a game between the Lakers and the Rockets.
The Lakers secured a convincing 107–97 victory over the Rockets, fueled by a dominant 35–14 second quarter. As the game became more heated, tensions escalated, leading to a pivotal moment in the late stages of the contest.
The flashpoint came when Los Angeles forward LeBron James and Rockets coach Ime Udoka engaged in a verbal exchange. Referee J.T. Orr closely monitored the conversation, and upon its conclusion, both James and Udoka were assessed technical fouls. Importantly, this second technical foul led to Udoka’s ejection from the game. Notably, Udoka had received his first technical foul during the first half.
Ime Udoka got ejected after having some words with Bron 👀 pic.twitter.com/GzNak5ZLzn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 3, 2023
LeBron James, with his extensive experience in the league, has crossed paths with many coaches, including Udoka. During the 2007–10 seasons, James’s Cavaliers teams held a 6–2 record against Udoka’s squads, adding an interesting layer to the confrontation between the veteran player and the ejected coach.