Celtics Forward Suspended For Bumping Ref

“Recklessly making contact with and directing inappropriate language toward a game official”: That's the crime that will cost Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams one game.

The NBA announces Grant Williams will be suspended for a game for making contact with an official during Monday’s loss in Chicago.

Williams will sit out Friday’s game against Cleveland.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 26, 2022

Here's the video evidence, which seems a little questionable, to say the least: 

pic.twitter.com/MBV6hUeKqR

— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) October 26, 2022

Williams was trying to draw an offensive foul but was called for a block on this play by rookie NBA official Cheryl Flores. He got up protesting the call and ran by her to the Celtics' bench, making contact with her along the way. Was it done purposely or inadvertently? 

As noted on the broadcast by analyst Brian Scalabrine, "whether it's intentional or not" brushing an official like that is an "automatic" ejection. And now the NBA is calling it "reckless."

The 6'6", 230-pound Williams will now sit out the Celtics' game on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Flores had officiated nine seasons in the G League and 10 seasons in the WNBA before becoming a full-time NBA ref this season.

Photo: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports