The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be unstoppable this season. After starting their season with a 15-game win streak, the Cavaliers are on another 10-game streak following their win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, March 2.
However, despite the win, Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome was left fuming at the referees, particularly Natalie Sago.
Fans Stunned as Ty Jerome Publicly Calls Out Natalie Sago After Cavaliers Win
The Cavaliers were led by De’Andre Hunter, who posted 32 points and seven rebounds on 55.6% shooting from deep, while Jerome came off the bench to score 25 points, including a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe. He also posted six assists, a career-high six steals, and five rebounds, becoming the first player to record this stat line off the bench since 1975.
Despite having one of the best nights of his career, Jerome was left angry by an inordinate number of personals called during Cleveland’s 133-129 overtime win and called out the referee directly by her name.
“I thought the refs were really bad tonight, especially Natalie (Sago), she was really bad,” Jerome said. “Stuff like that happens. They kind of lose control of the game, and you just got to keep your head. I thought that first half was ridiculous. Third quarter was horrendous. That said, you just got to keep your head and keep playing.”
Cavs’ Ty Jerome: “I thought the refs were really bad tonight. Especially Natalie (Sago) … That said, you just gotta keep playing and that’s what we did.”
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) March 3, 2025
While criticism of refereeing is nothing new in the NBA, Jerome might have landed himself in trouble by directly calling out the name. And fans couldn’t do anything but wonder about the amount of fine he may have to pay.
“He’s abt to get fined 30k,” one fan wrote.
He’s abt to get fined 30k
— mmmmjooooo (@mmmmjooooo) March 3, 2025
Another fan joked Jerome might not even be able to pay the amount of money he’d be fined.
“He not gonna be able to afford this fine,” they wrote.
“Adam is sending the trucks to his house tonight, name dropping is crazy,” one fan joked.
Adam is sending the trucks to his house tonight 😭 name dropping is crazy
— JuSmith (@JuJu_Smith_) March 3, 2025
It’s understood that Jerome would know the consequences of his actions, and if he still decided to take a risk, one fan noted that something was indeed wrong with the NBA refereeing.
“Ty Jerome making $2.5m/year saying this knowing he’s catching a $25k fine has to tell you something about these refs… Adam Silver do something buddy,” a fan said.
Ty Jerome making $2.5m/year saying this knowing he's catching a $25k fine has to tell you something about these refs… Adam Silver do something buddy
— Yung Kippur (@jak0bis) March 3, 2025
A total of 53 fouls were called during the game, and like Jerome, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson wasn’t a fan of the officiating.
“The game was so choppy,” Atkinson said. “I’ll have to go back and look at the film. We have great referees in this league. I just thought it wasn’t a great spectacle for the fans or for the media, or for us as coaches. It would just seem like it was constant stoppage. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Cleveland continued their reign at the top of the Eastern standings and improved to a 50-10 record. They will now take on the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, March 4.
