Stephenson watches as multiple Raptors tried to approach him. [Frank McGrath/PS&E]
Lance Stephenson has appealed the technical foul he was assessed in the final seconds of the Pacers’ 108-90 win Tuesday night over the Toronto Raptors. The appeal was filed first thing Wednesday morning, VigilantSports.com has learned.
After Paul George threw the ball to Stephenson at mid-court with six seconds left, Stephenson went ahead and scored the wide-open layup to put the Pacers up by 18.
Several Raptors players didn’t like Stephenson’s action so late in the game, breaking an unwritten or cardinal-rule in basketball.
DeMar DeRozan and P.J. Tucker then met Stephenson at mid-court and made their feelings clear. Stephenson did not respond or engage, and he walked directly toward the Pacers’ bench while the other two had to be restrained.
All three were issued technical fouls.
(2/2) Ruling: DeRozan was assessed a technical foul for a physical taunt. Tucker and Stephenson were assessed a double technical foul. pic.twitter.com/pUcKLozxOm
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 5, 2017
It was the first technical foul this season for Stephenson, who has been limited to 14 games due to injuries (groin and ankle). If the technical foul is not rescinded, Stephenson will be fined $2,000. Through April 3, more than a dozen technical fouls on players had been rescinded this season upon the League Office review process.
[VIDEO: Stephenson receives standing ovation in return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse]
After the game, Stephenson apologized and said he was “caught in the moment” of his first home game back in Bankers Life Fieldhouse in a Pacers uniform.
DeRozan said it “that’s disrespectful to the game.” Tucker called it “tasteless” and “classless.”
POLL: If it wasn't Lance, but another Pacer laying the ball in, do the Raptors react?
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 5, 2017
Raptors are crybabies! Lance is awesome!!!