Chris Paul Fined $25K for Comments Criticizing Female Referee Lauren Holtkamp

Chris Paul has been fined $25,000 for criticizing referee Lauren Holtkamp following Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Los Angeles Clippers were whistled for five technical fouls in the lopsided loss. One of those was assessed to Paul when he and Holtkamp got into a brief verbal altercation.

"“I think we have to show better composure, but at the same time some of [the technical fouls] were ridiculous,” Paul said [after the game]. “The tech that I get right there was ridiculous. I don’t care what nobody says, I don’t care what she says; that’s terrible. There’s no way that can be a tech. We try to get the ball out fast every time down the court, and when we did that, she said, ‘Uh-uh.’ I said, ‘Why, uh-uh?’ And she gave me a tech. “That’s ridiculous. If that’s the case, this might not be for her.”"

Paul’s comments drummed up controversy, with some wondering if he’d have been as critical of a rookie male referee. Paul rejected any suggestion his criticism was gender-based and the NBA Players Association offered a strong backing.

A source told ESPN’s Mark Stein the league does not regard the critique as gender-based and that the fine was for public criticism.