Kelly Oubre Jr. recently opened up about his altercation with referees during a heated game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers last season. During a guest appearance on “Podcast P with Paul George” presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Oubre reflected on the viral incident that led to fines and a post-game apology.
Oubre admitted that he lost his cool after a no-call during a critical play involving Paul George in the closing moments of the game. “I blacked out. I mean, honestly, it was two basketball plays. I felt like I got fouled,” Oubre said. The fiery forward was determined to win, and the frustration boiled over into a confrontation with the officials.
The 76ers lost the game 108-107 in a close battle where Kawhi Leonard’s plays proved decisive. Oubre contributed 17 points but was at the center of controversy after confronting the referees. He later apologized, recognizing that he had taken things too far in the heat of the moment.
Oubre’s outburst didn’t go unnoticed by the league, as both he and head coach Nick Nurse were fined $50,000 for their conduct. Nurse also expressed frustration with the officiating post-game, further adding to the tension surrounding the calls. Oubre reflected on the incident, saying, “If Nurse didn’t get fined 50K either, I would’ve been on the island alone looking crazy.”
The incident occurred on March 27 at Wells Fargo Center, where Oubre’s frustration reached its peak after the game’s final moments. A post-game video review later revealed that the referees missed a foul call on George during the crucial play.
The fallout from the game, while intense, also provided Oubre with a learning experience. Moving forward, he emphasized the importance of keeping his emotions in check, especially in critical moments. Oubre concluded his reflection by saying, “But yeah, I apologize to the refs and not this year, dog. We good.”
