Rockets owner Leslie Alexander leaves courtside seat, shouts at ref; NBA to investigate

HOUSTON -- Rockets owner Leslie Alexander left his courtside seat during live game action to yell at referee Bill Kennedy in the final seconds of the first quarter in Houston's 105-99 series-clinching Game 5 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

As Kennedy stood watching a play, Alexander got up from his seat next to the national television table. Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon tried to grab the owner's arm, but he kept walking. Alexander stood behind Kennedy for less than five seconds before walking away. Kennedy did turn his head as Alexander reversed course.

It appeared Alexander was complaining about a call that wasn't made before he sat back down.

Alexander, who is normally mild-mannered during games, declined to discuss much about the scene, only saying at halftime he "can't talk about it" and that he was "upset, really upset."

After the incident, NBA spokesman Mike Bass issued a statement saying that "an investigation is underway."

The league also denied the media's request to speak with the game officials through a pool reporter regarding the incident.

Rockets star James Harden said he didn't see the occurrence but was amused when told about it after the game.

"He's just the coolest guy on Earth,'' Harden said. "I would have probably ran over there and tried to help him.''