Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant was fined $25,000 by the NBA for “forcefully throwing the game ball into the spectator stands” during the third quarter of Friday’s Nets win over the Indiana Pacers.
After play was stopped with a foul while Durant was driving, he fired the basketball into the stands with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter. Crew chief Sean Wright told a reporter after the game that in real time, the official who made the call didn’t think the ball entered the stands with force. But Wright admitted that after watching video replay after the game, Durant should’ve been ejected from the game.
Durant said he was trying to hit the backboard and shouldn’t have even done that.
“I don’t know, man, I thought I was at the gym by myself and in a pickup game, not an NBA game,” Durant said of his lapse. “And I can’t do that. I could have cost my team the game, but it won’t happen again — I hope so.”
“I didn’t know you could get ejected over that,” Durant added. “I’m glad I stayed in the game. I’m sure a hefty fine is coming, but I don’t mind giving.”