Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been fined $25K by the NBA for throwing the game ball into the stands at the conclusion of Friday’s overtime victory over the Knicks, the league announced today (Twitter link).
Throwing or kicking the ball into the stands typically results in an automatic fine from the NBA, regardless of whether it’s done out of frustration or – as in this case – in celebration, so this announcement isn’t anything out of the ordinary.
Fans of social media took notice of Wembanyama’s ball toss (Twitter video link) since it came at the end of the first 40-point (and 40-point, 20-rebound) game of his career, as well as a game in which Knicks guard Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 61 points. The Spurs’ rookie phenom apparently decided that neither of them would be keeping the game ball.
It’s the second fine of Wembanyama’s NBA career — he was also docked the standard $2K for his lone technical foul on the season in November.
Wemby killed Knicks …….
Played both ways was really good.
Was at the game and almost coursed. To see him stand next to others and then the way he plays – his handles, crossover, follow through, etc. is just unbelievable. He had such an impact in the paint that the last play in OT, Prince had an open shot next to the rim and passed it back out (which lost the game) because he thought Wemby was in the area (which he wasn’t). The kid is going to be great, health permitting.
Wemby is something the league has never seen before…
Pop is going to need to rack up some technicals to draw attention to how often he is getting fouled w no calls. Already looking like the Shaq days when refs took the view that they “can’t call a foul on every play”. Draymond and Warriors just pounded him all night – but got one T, but grabbing his arms and two handed pushes in the back when he’s driving are becoming commonplace. The best was the blatant foul on the 3 point shot at the end of the game by Payton. Probably didn’t matter in a 4 point game but it was nuts. Kerr and even pulled Payton aside at the end to tell him he got lucky.
Maybe next year he’ll earn some respect from refs.
Other than that we can ignore the play where Curry dribbled the ball off his foot, ran backcourt to get it and with no backcourt call passed it to the corner for an open 3 while Spurs were assuming there’d be a whistle.
And this has what to do with the game against the Knicks?