Coach gets measly fine for foul-mouthed rant at rival

Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian has copped a tiny fine for his wild spray at a referee during his side's win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Late in the second quarter, Goorjian was hit with a technical foul after he stormed the court and swore at a referee following a fiery clash primarily involving the Phoenix's Owen Foxwell and Sydney's Kendric Davis.

On Friday, the NBL confirmed Goorjian had been fined just $775 for the outburst for a breach of the league's code of conduct.

READ MORE: Vonn shares gnarly photo after surgery on broken leg

READ MORE: Jakara's response to heartbreak only enhanced incredible legacy

READ MORE: Stuffed Yoda toy that reminds family of 'zen master' Guseli

The two had earlier become involved in a messy brouhaha on the three-point line. Davis was running towards the corner while fending of Foxwell, who appeared to fall face first underneath his rival.

Brian Goorjian, Coach of the Kings receives a technical foul during the round 20 NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena, on February 08, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Davis' foot was caught underneath the body of his rival and was ultimately forced to spin his body towards his opponent to remove himself from the tangle.

However, as he did so, Foxwell appealed to referees that Davis had kicked him in the back when moving his foot out.

Phoenix players rushed to the corner and move Davis away from their teammate, as their coach Josh King began calling out to the referees.

"He kicked him, I saw it," King was heard shouting.

A chant of 'kick him out' then echoed around John Cain Arena, but the referee quickly confirmed that the incident was nothing more than a standard foul.

Kendric Davis is caught in a fiery on-court tangle.

Moments later, Davis went up to make a shot just outside the key, but he was fouled by Melbourne's Nathan Sobey and simultaneously hit the deck.

The American Kings star leapt to his feet after the fall and started a heated exchange with Sobey, going chest to chest as teammates ran into to break them apart.

Davis' actions in that moment only caused boos to, again, echo around the arena.

A technical foul was given to both athletes before all on the court prepared to continue on with the match, but that was when Kings coach Brian Goorjian opted to step in.

"I'm not talking to you, bitch … I'm not talking to you. F–k you, f–k you," Goorjian could be heard saying.

The Aussie duo impressing Iverson

It was those words that then saw Goorjian hit with a technical. 

By the time things had settled and the buzzer had sounded, it was only half time.

With it clear the rest of the game would be a fiery one, Davis was not rattled by the opposition crowd, rather went on to make a statement on the court as the Kings claimed victory 114-88.

Earning the title of MVP for the game, Davis delivered a simple celebratory speech.

"We knew what was at stake. We made a statement today," he said post-match.

"(We won thanks to) great coaching. Goorj for coach of the year.

"I love my team and I love my coaches. I wouldn't trade here for nothing."

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply