THE NBA announced that Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton was fined $25,000 for throwing a basketball into the stands during Brooklyn’s 101-94 victory over the Raptors on Thursday.
Claxton was actually ejected from the game for the action that occurred during the second quarter. It was an atypical situation, as Claxton was in the middle of a fast break opportunity and was fouled to stop what would have been an easy transition dunk. As Claxton slowed his momentum, he carelessly threw the ball into the stands and was immediately ejected.
As Claxton headed back to the locker room, he stopped for a second on the bench and grabbed a seat cushion. It looked like he was planning to throw it on the field as well. Nets assistant coach Juwan Howard stopped Claxton from proceeding and he returned to the locker room without further altercation.
Up to that point, Claxton had seven points and five rebounds in 11 minutes before the ejection. Howard probably saved Claxton from further punishment from the league, because if he had managed to throw the seat cushion, the NBA likely would have imposed a higher fine or even a suspension.
It’s been a frustrating season for Claxton, who, after averaging nearly a double-double last year, is averaging 9.5 points and 7.4 rebounds. Despite a slow start from Claxton, the Nets performed better than expected, occupying the final play-in spot in the East with an 11-16 record.
