Bucks Coach Suspended for One Game After Slapping Ball out of Referees Hands

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd was suspended one game without pay for aggressively pursuing and confronting a game official, slapping the ball out of his hands, and not leaving the court in a timely manner upon his ejection, it was announced Friday by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, according to NBA.com.

The incident, for which Kidd was assessed a technical foul and ejected, occurred with 1:49 remaining in the fourth quarter of Milwaukee's 129-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Kidd will serve his suspension tonight when the Bucks play the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. 

Kidd, unhappy with the lack of fouls called against the Bucks during the game, swatted as a ball held by referee Zach Zarba during a time out. Zarba gave Kidd a technical foul and kicked him out of the game. Reports from the arena said there was also a scuffle in the hallway, and that Bucks player O.J. Mayo was escorted to his car by teammates.

Kidd said he was protecting his players by showing his emotion to Zarba. Kings coach and former Bucks leader George Karl also drew a technical foul during the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton led the Bucks in the losing effort with 21 points each