NBL reviewing legend's F-bomb spray at rival player

Sydney coach Brian Goorjian is under review and faces possible sanction from the NBL over an expletive-laden spray directed at South East Melbourne guard Owen Foxwell.

Goorjian was caught on the television broadcast calling Foxwell a "bitch" and saying "f*** you" three times in a heated exchange on Sunday.

It came during the second quarter of the Kings' 114-88 statement win over the Phoenix at John Cain Arena.

Goorjian insisted Foxwell provoked his response with an initial comment, which was not picked up on the broadcast, but refused to discuss the specifics of what was said.

The NBL was reviewing footage of the incident on Monday amid the possibility of further investigation and penalties.

Foxwell's role in the incident is also being assessed.

But the league is unlikely to take action over a confrontation between Sydney's MVP candidate Kendric Davis and SEM coach Josh King that took place near the teams' locker rooms after the game.

King accused Davis of kicking Foxwell during the game, though the NBL replay centre reviewed the incident at the time and chose not to discipline the Kings star.

Goorjian - a six-time NBL championship-winning coach - was unapologetic over his clash with Foxwell, which earned him a technical foul.

"If something's said to you, I'm going to say something back," Goorjian told reporters post game.

"If they want to give me a technical (foul), they can give me a technical.

"He tells me what he said, I'm coming right back at him. I didn't think there was a place for that.

"I wasn't talking to the referee. He didn't do anything when he went at me, and I don't just go at a player.

"I went there and he said something and I went back at him."

Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari took to social media in the fallout from the fiery contest, lashing Goorjian while also addressing the Davis-King clash, which took place close to where the coaches' post-game press conferences were held.

"Some folks are saying our coach confronted KD in the tunnel, couldn't be further from the truth, it was the other way around," Chaudhari posted on X.

"A broadcaster left mid-press conference to go snitch to KD, which then incited that whole 'confrontation' in the tunnel, a confrontation initiated by KD.

"Let's see how this is addressed in the aftermath. Unfortunately, there is a 'good 'ol boys club' mentality that is ever prevalent, so I won't hold my breath."

Speaking post game - before words were exchanged with Davis in the tunnel - King said 72-year-old Goorjian's actions were "completely uncalled for".

"It's really surprising, a guy that's done everything he's done in his career to think it's OK to tell an opposing player 'F you' three times," King told reporters.

"That's very disappointing and it's not right.

"Hey, it is what it is. Maybe he thinks that's OK.

"I just know that I've never seen that before, and I've coached around the world too."

Sunday's result lifted Sydney (21-9) above the Phoenix (21-10) into second spot on the ladder, with just two rounds left in the regular season.