Jordan Clarkson Fined For Throwing Headband Into Jazz Crowd

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson has been fined for throwing his headband into the crowd late in the team’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

Clarkson, frustrated with the officiating throughout the night showed his frustration by whipping his headband into the Vivint Arena stands with the Trail Blazers leading in the final seconds of the game.

The league fined the Jazz guard $$15,000 for his actions.

The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/2m7JaGE71P

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 5, 2022

“The incident occurred with :01.6 remaining in the fourth quarter of Utah’s 116-111 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 3 at Vivint Arena,” according to a release from the league.

The veteran had just committed his sixth foul of the game and was disqualified for the first time this season.

Clarkson threw his headband into a row of empty seats and didn’t hit any fans sitting at the arena.

After the game, Clarkson said he instructed officials to go back and watch the game out of frustration for a series of missed calls.

“Everybody makes mistakes down the line, but at some point, they’ve got to get held accountable,” Clarkson said. “I get held accountable for missed shots, turnovers, late-game situations, everything. In that instance, we’ve all got to be held accountable.”

You can see video of Jordan Clarkson throwing his headband here.

Clearly wasn’t directed at anyone, and went into the empty seats. pic.twitter.com/9aUXcvIQoL

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 5, 2022

Clarksons biggest gripe came after getting hit by Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker on a layup attempt that the officials ruled a clean block. The play resulted in Portland center Jusuf Nurkic falling onto the smaller Clarkson, and Trendon Watford scoring for the Trail Blazers.

The no-call drew the ire of Jazz coach Will Hardy who picked up the first technical foul of his head coach career and believed he should have picked up his second.

“I should have gotten thrown out,” Hardy said. “That play was gross.”

Clarkson scored 24 points to lead the Jazz but shot just 10-26 from the floor and 1-9 from the three-point line.

The former Sixth Man of the Year award winner made a critical mistake when he picked up his fifth foul with 29 seconds remaining against Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons 30 feet away from the hoop.

With the Jazz in the bonus, Simons connected on two free throws to give the Trail Blazers a 112-111 lead and ultimately the victory.

Clarkson, Ryan Smith React

Both Clarkson and Jazz owner Ryan Smith reacted to news of Clarkson’s fine shortly after it was announced.

😂

— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) December 5, 2022

Clarkson tweeted a laughing emoji shortly, presumedly in response to the matter.

Smith also reacted to a fan who asked if he would cover the fine for Clarkson.

“Add to the list..” Smith tweeted, “but let’s give everyone in arena headbands and do headband wars at halftime.”

Add to the list.. but let’s give everyone in arena headbands and do headband wars at halftime. https://t.co/IW2KsJOWOi

— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) December 5, 2022

The Jazz will retake the floor Wednesday when they host the Golden State Warriors. Clarkson is not facing suspension for the incident.

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