Cavs' Ty Jerome Fined $25,000 for Criticizing Referee

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome was fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing referee Natalie Sago after his team's overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jerome expressed his frustration with the officiating, claiming it was 'really bad' and particularly singled out Sago for her performance during the game, which saw a total of 70 free throws called. Despite the controversy, Jerome contributed significantly to the Cavaliers' victory, scoring 25 points and achieving a career-high six steals. The game, marked by a high number of fouls, saw Cleveland come back from an 18-point deficit to clinch the win. Sago, in her sixth season as an NBA referee, has faced scrutiny from fans and players alike for her officiating in recent seasons. Jerome's remarks highlight ongoing tensions between players and officials regarding game management and fairness in officiating.