Doc Rivers fined

Doc Rivers fined for criticizing

Sticking up for Kevin Garnett has cost Doc Rivers a pretty penny.

The Celtics head coach has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations, announced on Thursday.

Rivers made his comments in the postgame press conference following the Celtics’ 87-71 loss to the New York Knicks on April 23 at Madison Square Garden.

Specifically, he was critical of the trio of David Jones, Rodney Mott and Derrick Stafford for what he termed “horrendous” foul calls on Garnett that he said had a “huge effect” on the Celtics in their 87-71 loss to the Knicks in Game 3.

Garnett was called for three fouls in the first half and had five fouls midway through the fourth quarter, when he came out of the game.