Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook has been suspended one game without pay after he picked up his 16th technical foul of the season in the Thunder’s 110-88 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
Westbrook will serve his suspension Monday, when the Thunder host the Miami Heat, the NBA announced Sunday.
Westbrook was hit with the technical by referee Tyler Ford in the backcourt after not getting a call on a drive. Westbrook fouled Klay Thompson out of frustration and then proceeded to argue about the call.
Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game after he receives his 16th technical.
For every two additional technical fouls received during the rest of this regular season, Westbrook will be automatically suspended for an additional game. The technical foul count resets once the playoffs begin.
Westbrook is routinely near the top of the technical foul list but had never reached 16 for a suspension. In the 2014-15 season, he picked up a 16th but had it rescinded the following day, which avoided the suspension.
