"It was a heated game, and things happened. Emotions were involved" - Tim Duncan on what happened when Joey Crawford ejected him for laughing

San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan was one of the most unassuming superstars in NBA history. Despite his numerous accolades, including 15 All-Star selections and two league MVP trophies, he always maintained a calm demeanor and deeply respected players and officials.

It's worth noting that throughout his illustrious 19-year career, the unassuming Duncan was ejected from a game only once. Unfortunately, this rarity occurred in a rather dubious manner. It was a regular-season match between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks in 2007, when referee Joey Crawford prematurely sent Tim off the court, issuing him two technical fouls.

The first was understandable, as Duncan was contesting an offensive foul called on his teammate. However, the second was highly questionable, as it was triggered by TD's mere laughter from the bench.

It’s been 17 years since that controversial incident, which caused Crawford to be suspended indefinitely by then-NBA commissioner David Stern. Although Timmy didn’t reveal many details, what he shared was enough for people to piece together what happened.

Emotions got involved

Although the contest was only a regular-season game, Crawford was seemingly in a cranky mood in that game and had the 6-foot-11 center in his sights. He handed Duncan his first technical as the latter sat on the bench with 2:20 remaining in the third. Over a minute later, Joey ejected TD, who was laughing from his seat after a blocking foul was called on his teammate, Fabricio Oberto.

“It was a heated game, and things happened. Emotions were involved,” Duncan candidly said of that infamous incident.

As the footage of that unforgettable incident reveals, TD sat in complete disbelief, his face a picture of shock.

“He did not enjoy me laughing,” the Wake Forest alum shared. “It is one of the more memorable moments.”

Contentious affair

According to Crawford, Duncan deserved both technical fouls as he disrespected the officiating crew with his subtle digs and complaints.

“He went over to the bench, and he was over there doing the same stuff behind our back,” Crawford expressed of Duncan. “I hit him with one, and he kept going over there, laughing, and I look over there, and he's still complaining. So I threw him out.”

The incident was a huge black eye for the league and its officiating crew, and Stern quickly moved to put out the growing fire. He handed Crawford a massive $100,000 fine and suspended him for the remainder of the season and the entire playoffs, citing “improper conduct” and “inappropriate comments made to Duncan during the game.”

The NBA would eventually reinstate Joey after he underwent counseling sessions. In an interview with the New York Times, he later revealed that ejecting Duncan was one of his life’s biggest regrets.

Related: "He smacked me, and I knocked him out" - Tim Donaghy recalls his fistfight with Joey Crawford