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(SportsNetwork.com) - Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul was critical of the officiating in Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after receiving a technical foul during the 105-94 loss.

There could be backlash from his comments because they were made about a female referee.

A total of five technical fouls were whistled against the Clippers during the contest and Paul commented negatively on the one he received, which happened to be assessed by rookie NBA official Lauren Holtkamp.

The Clippers tried to inbound the ball quickly after a Cleveland free throw early in the third quarter and Holtkamp stopped play. Paul questioned the decision and Holtkamp followed by calling the technical foul against the All- Star guard.

"There's no way that can be a technical," said Paul after the game. "We try to get the ball out fast every time down the court. When we did that, she said, 'Uh-uh, no.' I said, 'Why uh-uh?' And she gave me a technical. That's ridiculous. If that's the case, this might not be for her."

Social media erupted with negative comments against Paul because of his use of the pronoun "her," indicating his remarks were sexist. Although, he may have instead been questioning her experience.

Either way, the NBA officials' union was unhappy with Paul's comments.

"The NBRA has carefully reviewed the calls made by Lauren Holtkamp and deems them fully justified," the union said in a statement Friday. "Furthermore, the NBRA deplores the personal and unprofessional comments made by Chris Paul. She belongs."

Holtkamp is one of just two female officials in the league this season.