Even by the standards of NBA coaching meltdowns, Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković was beyond angry on Thursday.
Trailing 125-103 against the Memphis Grizzlies, Rajaković responded to a no-call from the officials by angrily berating them until he had to be taken away by his own players. He was quickly penalized with two technical fouls and automatically expelled.
The crowd at the FedExForum in Memphis enjoyed the show, as did the Grizzlies, would have. Rajaković served as an assistant coach for the Grizzlies from 2020 to 2023.
The two extra free throws, both made by Luke Kennard, did the Raptors no favors in what ended in a 155-126 loss. Toronto’s record now stands at 7-24, a game and a half ahead of the Washington Wizards for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
“We hold each other to a higher standard and obviously we weren’t playing up to that,” Raptors assistant coach Pat Delany said after the game. via Savanna Hamilton of Sportsnet. “I can’t speak for (Rajaković) on those moments or what went through his mind, but obviously you try to protect our players.”
It was the first career ejection for Rajaković, who is in his second season as Raptors head coach. However, he did facing a $25,000 fine last season in January after ripping officials following a frustrating loss.
