CHICAGO — Kevin Huerter was ejected from the Chicago Bulls’ 143-107 home loss to Miami on Friday (Saturday in Manila) after a ball he tapped away in frustration because of a foul call bounced off the back of referee Che Flores’ leg.
Flores, the NBA’s first out nonbinary and transgender referee, was facing the scoring table signaling the foul when they were struck by the ball on the back of their right leg. Veteran referee Tony Brothers immediately whistled a technical foul against Huerter, who held out both hands and had a look of disbelief when he realized he had been ejected.
“I was frustrated at the call, but again, I apologize if that was too much. Obviously it was,” Huerter told reporters after the game. “I was not meaning to throw the ball at the official.”
The Bulls were down 78-57 with 8:18 left in the third quarter when Huerter was called for a foul when defending a shot by Pelle Larsson when both players were in the air. The ball then bounced once on the floor near the free-throw line before Huerter waved his right arm and tapped the ball, which went toward Flores, who was near the sideline closer to midcourt.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan then had a conversation with Brothers, who stuck with the technical foul and ejection after a replay review. Donovan indicated after the game that Brothers felt Huerter intended to knock the ball toward Flores. AP
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce plans to wait until after the season to make a decision on retirement, though he did say Friday (Saturday in Manila) that he wants to make that decision early enough that the Kansas City Chiefs have time to prepare for the future.
The new league year officially begins March 11, which also marks the beginning of free agency. But teams can speak with potential free agents in the days leading up to that date, and they also will have been working on their plans for the April draft.
Kelce said that he appreciated the way that his brother, Jason Kelce, retired after 13 seasons with the Eagles. The elder Kelce made the announcement on March 4, 2024, which gave them ample opportunity to plan their roster construction for last season.
“Seeing my brother go through it and seeing — I don’t know, how the league works ... I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not, and vice versa,” Travis Kelce said following a final practice for Sunday’s game against the Colts.
“It’s one of those things where I’d like to make that decision before they have draft picks and free agency opens,” Kelce continued, “and they can go out there and fill the roster appropriately. All of that will be after the season. I won’t think about it until then.”
Some thought Kelce, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, might retire after the Chiefs lost to the Eagles in the Super Bowl in February. But he quickly announced his intention to return, then went about getting in better shape during this past offseason.
It’s paid off, too. The 36-year-old Kelce already has 50 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns.
How the rest of the season goes for the Chiefs also could factor into Kelce’s decision. He’s said the lopsided Super Bowl loss to the Eagles left a bitter taste in his mouth, but things have gone even worse this season. The Chiefs are 5-5 and currently outside the AFC playoff picture, with the AFC South-leading Colts rolling into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.