Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander fined $100K for confronting official

An incident involving referee leads to big fine from NBA for Rockets owner Leslie Alexander.

Houston Rockets owner Les Alexander was slapped with a $100,000 fine by the NBA on Wednesday, after approaching an official while the ball was in play during Houston’s Game 5 matchup against Oklahoma City at the Toyota Center. The outburst, directed at referee Bill Kennedy, occurred as the seconds ticked off the clock in the first quarter of a 105-99 Rockets’ victory over the ThundeR.

With the victory, Houston advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, eliminating the Thunder 4-1.

After the game, Alexander was asked about the sideline incident by the Houston Chronicle’s Jenny Dial Creech and simply responded that he was “Upset. Very Upset.”

Alexander walked about 20 feet from his seat to express his displeasure. The incident immediately prompted action from the league. After the game NBA spokesman Mike Bass released a statement indicating “an investigation is underway.”

Next: 30 richest players in the NBA

Alexander began his career as a attorney, then transitioned to working on Wall Street before purchasing the Rockets in 1993 for $85 million. His team was crowned NBA champions in the first two seasons under his ownership. In 1994 the Rockets needed five games to best the New York Knicks. A season later Alexander’s team swept the Orlando Magic.

In February Forbes listed the Rockets’ valuation at $1.65 billion, eighth among all NBA teams. December of 2016 Alexander’s personal net worth was reported as just shy of $2 billion. In 2008 the magazine named Alexander the best owner in the NBA. For 10 years he also owned the Houston Comets of the WNBA. He sold the Comets in January of 2007, one year before the team ceased operations.

The No. 3-seeded Rockets await the winner of the San Antonio-Memphis series. The Spurs lead the Grizzlies 3-2. Game 6 in Memphis will tip off Thursday at 9:30 pm ET.