The court of the New York Nets heated up more than expected in the game against the Indiana Pacers. The rivalry between both teams is evident, but it went beyond normal limits, and some players from both sides took it personally. The consequences? A fair sanction from the NBA.
Basketball is a sport of constant contact. Therefore, players must be able to properly manage their emotions in every game. However, sometimes things get out of hand, just as they did in the Nets-Pacers game.
A fair sanction for the players’ misconduct
According to Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, three NBA players will be fined for unsportsmanlike conduct on the New York Nets’ court.
The players involved are Trendon Watford, shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets, and Myles Turner, center for the Indiana Pacers. Each must pay a $35,000 fine for physically confronting each other during the game, in the fourth quarter, before the Pacers’ 105-99 victory.
Additionally, Andrew Nembhard, shooting guard-small forward for the Pacers, also received a $20,000 fine for initially engaging in the altercation.
The tension between Nembhard and Watford was evident on the court throughout the game. However, things spiraled out of control when the Nets player struck Nembhard in the chest. Turner reacted to this by shoving Watford.
Watford immediately received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game. Turner and Nembhard also received technical fouls for participating in the altercation. This should serve as a lesson to prevent similar incidents from occurring in any other NBA game.
