The NBA has fined Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis $50K for socializing in a club on Sunday, according to an official league press release (Twitter link).
Tim MacMahon of ESPN tweets that Porzingis attended a Los Angeles-area strip club following the Mavericks’ first game against the Clippers. MacMahon adds that Porzingis has been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
This appearance violated a league rule designed to prevent players from attending a club, lounge or bar, whether or not the players themselves have received the vaccine for COVID-19.
“In consultation with medical experts, and based on all facts and circumstances, it was determined that his attendance did not create risks related to the spread of COVID-19 and therefore no quarantine is necessary,” the league wrote in its statement.
League spokesman Mike Bass clarified the difference between the fine for Porzingis and the treatment of Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James, who also recently violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols, albeit under different circumstances, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).
“LeBron briefly attended an outdoor event related to an individual commercial activity where everyone was either required to be vaccinated or return a negative (COVID-19) test,” Bass said. “The league reviews each potential protocol violation on a case-by-case basis, and determines quarantines and imposes discipline based on the individual facts and circumstances of each matter.” James was not penalized with a fine or suspension.
Lebron wouldn’t have been fined….
ask Labron to pay it.
It must be hard for you to enjoy NBA basketball when you’re constantly hating the best player in the last 20 years because your team sucks
i love the NBA. Not hating i don’t dislike Labron anyway… who’s team sucks?? what’s the name of my team??
Just like Sir charles Barkley said the NBA “ain’t got the balls” to suspend LeBron heading into the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Lol!
Why didn’t Chuck lead with this?
link to youtube.com
Did James get fined?
Did you read the article?
All players are equal except LeBron, LBA not NBA.
Lol that’s accurate LeBron is one of the best to ever play the game. You are right that not many players are equal to him, especially this current generation.
That said I don’t think they’ll be changing the name of the league anytime soon, and I think the conversation around the logo was moving from Jerry West to Kobe. That’s another conversation though.
When your name ain’t LBJ…
…breaking the rules ain’t okay
…Cuz when you out at the club and not an event…
… Silver will reach in your wallet and the money’s all spent.
The NBA even had to use the words “briefly attended” in their pathetic attempt to downplay Lebron’s violation.
They probably just wanted to get the word ‘outdoors’ into the debate. A small punishment would have worked better.
Or most of the league is vaccinated therefore pre vax protocols are not as important to the health of players, therefore no suspensions. Facts are hard on dopey LeBron hating conspiracy theorists like Trump, you, and Skip Bayless
Unbelievably shocking! I deal with teenagers all the time and Porzingis’ rational thought process is right there with a 15 year old boy.
That’s the behavior of an addict. This guy needs help. When basketball stops coming first, either you’re checked out or addiction is clouding your priorities.
I just hope he can get the help he needs.
What about going clubbing after beating Clippers. That’s no respect to me. Clippers better say something on court. Like that’s how seriously he’s taking them. Not a good sign from KP told you’ll he went Hollywood. Bad look for Mavs too. This is the playoffs. You are an underdog.
Considering his team is up 2-0 over the Clippers they’re probably OK with this.
Can’t believe they are up. Clippers I just don’t get. No way they should lose. This is why I don’t bet lol.
Wait so it isn’t a pro Dallas conspiracy that Porzingus wasn’t suspended? Maybe the dopes on here trashing LeBron should consider thst LeBron and most of the league are vaccinated and maybe that is why players aren’t being suspended as the protocols were drafted to protect the players from Covid early in the season and the vaccine largely eliminated the risk.
Completely different circumstances. But clowns who only wanna hate don’t get it. LeBron is at a company event. Where u must b vaccinated or SHOW a recent negative test. Kristaps is at a STRIP CLUB. Different how? One is a corporate sponsored outdoor event. Which according to the CDC is ok to b unmasked if vaccinated. And the other is inside where it isn’t ok to b unmasked by the cdc vaccinated or not. Props to the NBA for handling both accordingly and not making Kristaps the new Lemon Pepper Lou of this years playoffs.
Come on people . He got no business in a Strip Club. It’s first gm of playoffs. His team should of fined him. Not the same as Bron. But Bron also should have been fined. Like 50 grand would do anything to Bron.