Why did Brooklyn Nets’ Steve Nash get ejected for the first time in his NBA coaching career?

Brooklyn Nets’ Steve Nash was ejected from a game for the first time as a coach after arguing with court officials that they should have slapped Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo with an offensive foul against Nets guard Patty Mills.

Nash said that he thought that Giannis hit Mills on the throat when they were near the top of the key late in the third quarter. The head coach ran toward the middle of the court, visibly agitated and shouting, and had to be physically held back. He was penalized with two technical fouls for his outburst.

The Bucks went on to win the game on Wednesday night, 110-99.

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Nash defends his players

“I was just standing up for our guys. I thought Patty took a forearm in the throat from Giannis right in front of the ref. I didn’t feel that was fair. I don’t think I was overly demonstrative. I was upset I got the technical,” said the 48-year-old coach.

Nash has been with the NBA since 1996, and this was only the second time since joining the league that he was kicked out of the court, and his first ejection as a coach. The first time he was ejected was back in 2005, when he was still a point guard for the Phoenix Suns.

Giannis shines for the Bucks

Antetokounmpo ended the game with 43 points, 14 points, and five assists.

Kevin Durant was the top scorer for Brooklyn, with 33 points and six rebounds, Kyrie Irving contributed 27 points and nine rebounds, while Royce O’Neale tallied 12 points. They were the only three players to reach double digits for the Nets, who have now fallen to a 1-3 record.