Ty Jerome singled out female NBA referee Natalie Sago for criticism after the Cavaliers’ win over the Trail Blazers – branding her performance ‘really bad’.
The Cleveland guard was left fuming with an inordinate number of personal fouls called during Sunday’s 133-129 overtime victory, which saw both teams penalized a combined 53 times in a game that failed to flow.
As a result, Jerome didn’t hold back in criticizing the officiating crew after the stop-start game – zeroing in on Sago in particular.
‘I thought the refs were really bad tonight,’ he told reporters in the locker room. ‘Especially Natalie, she was really bad.
‘Stuff like that happens. They kind of lose control of the game, and you just got to keep your head.
‘I thought that first half was ridiculous. Third quarter was horrendous.’
Cavs guard Ty Jerome singled out female NBA referee Natalie Sago for criticism on Sunday
Jerome branded Sago’s performance in their win over Portland ‘horrendous’ and ‘really bad’
Ty Jerome on officiating after win: “I thought the refs were really bad tonight… especially Natalie, she was really bad.” pic.twitter.com/IVZHUklcxq
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Jerome will likely face a fine from the NBA for his postgame remarks after the Cavs improved to 50-10 by rallying from an 18-point deficit to push past the scrappy Blazers.
Sago, one of eight active female NBA referees, is currently in her sixth season as an official in the league.
She ᴀssessed Jerome a technical foul in the first quarter after the pair were seen exchanging words near the Cavaliers bench.
The 27-year-old, who finished with 25 points, six ᴀssists and a career-high six steals, was issued the technical foul for arguing his case. But he wasn’t the only one upset with the calls.
‘The game was so choppy,’ said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. ‘I’ll have to go back and look at the film.
‘We have great referees in this league. I just thought it wasn’t a great spectacle for the fans or for the media, or for us as coaches. It would just seem like it was constant stoppage. I´ll just leave it at that.’
Cleveland’s crowd didn’t hold back in their disgust at the officiating crew, booing throughout the slogfest. Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley fouled out, as did Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan, who picked up six fouls in just 11 minutes.
